DATES AND INTERVIEW OPTIONS
2026 Rochester Interview Dates: Fridays, January 30th, February 6th, 20th, and 27th.
2026 Remote Interview Option: A virtual finalist interview will be scheduled with our Jazz Composition faculty member over Zoom in February 2026.
PRE-SCREENING AND INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS
Undergraduate and Master's Applicants
Pre-screening: In addition to their instrumental pre-screening and audition requirements (requirements can be found here), applicants for Jazz Composition must also submit 3-4 scores in PDF format within the “Portfolio” section of their application before December 1st. These scores should be a portfolio of compositions and arrangements that display writing for large and small jazz group formats (at least one arrangement of a jazz standard must be included). Recordings of these works should also submitted. Recordings from reading sessions and rehearsals are acceptable. If live performers are not available, recordings of computer sequences of works may be submitted. Candidates with a background in classical composition are encouraged to submit one or two examples of original non-jazz works.
Final Interview: After review of all required materials, approved applicants will interview with our Jazz Composition professor. These interviews can be scheduled to occur either in-person or online remotely.