DATES AND AUDITION OPTIONS
2027 Rochester Audition Dates: Fridays, February 5th, 12th, and 19th.
2027 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 2027.
PRE-SCREENING AND AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Undergraduate
BM Pre-screening Requirement: Before December 1st, 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 trumpet. For applicants auditioning virtually, the group audition repertoire requirements will serve as the basis for the final audition video submission. The submitted recordings will be reviewed in place of the in-person audition appointments.
- 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: Includes a one-on-one meeting with the professor of jazz trumpet.
Graduate
Please Note: There are no openings for DMA applicants in the Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media Department for Fall 2027.
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 trumpet. For applicants auditioning virtually, the group audition repertoire requirements will serve as the basis for the final audition video submission. The submitted recordings will be reviewed in place of the in-person audition appointments.
- 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: Includes a one-on-one meeting with the professor of jazz trumpet.