Jazz Double Bass

BM Prescreening Requirement: Before December 1, all applicants must upload a preliminary audition recording. The prescreening recording should comprise 3 contrasting jazz selections in different styles (such as ballad, swing, straight 8th-note, etc).  Each selection must include improvisation, and must be recorded in a separate file with a total combined length of not more than 20 minutes.  Recordings that feature the applicant as a soloist in a small group are preferred. Video submissions with play-along recordings are also acceptable. Large ensemble recordings that feature the applicant as a soloist may also be used, but must be edited down to include only the applicant’s solo segments.

BM Final Audition Requirements: Finalists will be scheduled for two appointments on their audition day: a group audition and an individual audition with the professor of jazz double bass. Those auditioning virtually should include all of the audition repertoire for both appointments in their video recording submission.

Group Audition:

• Applicants must be prepared to perform 3 jazz selections in contrasting styles and improvise on each of them. Applicants auditioning in Rochester must bring lead sheets with them to this audition. Selections should include some material that was not heard on the prescreening recording.

Individual Audition:

• Etudes by authors such as Simandl, Hrabe, Bille, etc. Arco preferred but pizzicato is acceptable.
• A Bebop melody by composers such as Charlie Parker (Donna Lee, Confirmation, etc.), Bud Powell (Web City, Celia, etc.), or other representative Bebop repertoire
• A walking bass line on a standard tune.

Note: Only acoustic double bassists are considered for admission. However, applicants who double on electric bass may record additional selections on electric bass and upload these with the “Portfolio” section of their application.