DATES AND AUDITION OPTIONS
2025 Rochester Audition Dates: Fridays February 7, 14, 21, and 28
2025 Remote Audition Option: Applicants who would like to audition virtually should upload their audition requirements within their application by February 1st. Those auditioning virtually should record each selection in a separate file with a total combined length of not more than 20 minutes. A virtual meeting with the jazz faculty members will take place over zoom in February 2025.
PRE-SCREENING AND AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Undergraduate
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 drum set. 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:
- Drum set solo: Thompson: Jazz Solos for Drum Set, V.1; Thompson: Modern Jazz Solos for Drum Set; or an appropriate transcription from a classic jazz drum set solo
- Snare drum etude by Wilcoxon or commensurate with NYSSMA Level 6
- Demonstration of various styles such as swing, Latin, funk, brushes, etc.
- Possible sight-reading
Graduate
MM and DMA Pre-screening Requirement: Before December 1, all applicants must upload a pre-screening recording within the application. The pre-screening 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.
All DMA applicants must also upload 2-3 representative scores (in PDF format) and recordings of compositions and/or arrangements for varied jazz ensemble formations within the “Portfolio” section of their application by December 1st.
MM and DMA 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 drum set. 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:
- Drum set solo: Thompson: Jazz Solos for Drum Set, V.1; Thompson: Modern Jazz Solos for Drum Set; or an appropriate transcription from a classic jazz drum set solo
- Snare drum etude by Wilcoxon or commensurate with NYSSMA Level 6
- Demonstration of various styles such as swing, Latin, funk, brushes, etc.
- Possible sight-reading