Admission Auditions
The admissions requirements linked below are for admission to the Jazz Studies major.
The new College of Music application enables applicants to upload videos as part of the application. If your instrument requires a pre-screening video (not all instruments do) or you are auditioning by video, you will be able to use this feature.
The pages linked below refer to our bachelor's and master's programs.
For information on admission at the doctoral level, please see the page on the local concentration in Jazz Studies within the DMA in Performance.
Admission to the Graduate Artist Certificate in Music Performance program is an option for jazz performers with exceptional qualifications. For more information, see http://music.unt.edu/admissions/graduate-degree-specific.
Trombone Auditions for Admission
Undergraduate students
Undergraduates must play both a classical and a jazz audition. The requirements for the classical audition are published here on the College of Music web site.
The live jazz audition shall consist of two parts:
Part 1 - Prepared Jazz Etude:
All applicants will demonstrate instrumental expertise and knowledge of jazz style by performing one prepared etude to be selected from the following:
- Rose (Page 16-18, Jazz Conception by Jim Snidero, Advance Music) Half = 83
- IND Line (Pages 24-25, Jazz Conception by Jim Snidero, Advance Music) Half =90
- Autumn (Pages 30-31, Jazz Conception by Jim Snidero, Advance Music) Quarter = 110
Part 2 - Improvisation:
Applicants will demonstrate improvisation skill by performing one chorus of melody and two improvised choruses on three tunes selected from the following list (There Will Never Be Another You is required). All performances will be with the play-along tracks as specified.
Title and Suggested Play-Along Track
Required: There Will Never Be Another You, Aebersold Volume 15, Track 2
Two other tunes from the following:
- Autumn Leaves Aebersold Volume 54, Track 14
- Bb Blues or F Blues Aebersold Volume 54, Tracks 3 or 10
- Summertime Aebersold Volume 54, Track 5
- Satin Doll Aebersold Volume 54, Track 8
- I Got Rhythm Aebersold Volume 51, Track 4
Note: Play along tracks will be provided for the above tunes. Students may improvise on one additional tune of their choosing. Students are responsible to provide the playalong tracks (CD) for the additional tune.
Graduate students
Graduate students are required to perform an improvised solo on Charlie Parker's "Confirmation," and to prepare an additional two selections to be presented with prerecorded tracks. Styles should be selected from the following: ballad, blues, medium tempo standard, up-tempo standard, bebop, fusion or funk.
Additional material: Students who audition live may present additional recorded material which demonstrates expertise in jazz performance. These recordings may be of live or studio performances. It is suggested that recordings be edited to no more than 30 minutes total length. They should be shared with the auditioning professor in the form of web links.
Guidelines for Recorded Auditions:
Follow the directions on the College of Music application to submit a high quality recorded video audition. The recorded audition must include the three parts of the live audition. Read carefully the description of the live audition requirements.
Preparing the video of Parts 1 and 2 (prepared jazz etude and improvisation).
Do not edit the individual performances but feel free to use "takes" that demonstrate your best work. Make sure that the camera is 10 to 12 feet from you and that the balance between your instrument and the play-along track is appropriate. When recording the prepared jazz etude, use a metronome set at the tempo indicated. Make sure the metronome is audible on the recording.
Trombone Auditions for Admission
Undergraduate students
Undergraduates must play both a classical and a jazz audition. The requirements for the classical audition are published here on the College of Music web site.
The live jazz audition shall consist of two parts:
Part 1 - Prepared Jazz Etude:
All applicants will demonstrate instrumental expertise and knowledge of jazz style by performing one prepared etude to be selected from the following:
- Rose (Page 16-18, Jazz Conception by Jim Snidero, Advance Music) Half = 83
- IND Line (Pages 24-25, Jazz Conception by Jim Snidero, Advance Music) Half =90
- Autumn (Pages 30-31, Jazz Conception by Jim Snidero, Advance Music) Quarter = 110
Part 2 - Improvisation:
Applicants will demonstrate improvisation skill by performing one chorus of melody and two improvised choruses on three tunes selected from the following list (There Will Never Be Another You is required). All performances will be with the play-along tracks as specified.
Title and Suggested Play-Along Track
Required: There Will Never Be Another You, Aebersold Volume 15, Track 2
Two other tunes from the following:
- Autumn Leaves Aebersold Volume 54, Track 14
- Bb Blues or F Blues Aebersold Volume 54, Tracks 3 or 10
- Summertime Aebersold Volume 54, Track 5
- Satin Doll Aebersold Volume 54, Track 8
- I Got Rhythm Aebersold Volume 51, Track 4
Note: Play along tracks will be provided for the above tunes. Students may improvise on one additional tune of their choosing. Students are responsible to provide the playalong tracks (CD) for the additional tune.
Graduate students
Graduate students are required to perform an improvised solo on Charlie Parker's "Confirmation," and to prepare an additional two selections to be presented with prerecorded tracks. Styles should be selected from the following: ballad, blues, medium tempo standard, up-tempo standard, bebop, fusion or funk.
Additional material: Students who audition live may present additional material (audio CD, DVD, or VHS) which demonstrates expertise in jazz performance. These recordings may be of live or studio performances. It is suggested that recordings be edited to no more than 30 minutes total length. They should be shared with the auditioning professor in the form of web links.
Guidelines for Recorded Auditions:
Follow the directions on the College of Music application to submit a high quality recorded video audition by using youtube.com, yousendit.com, or similar web service. The recorded audition must include the three parts of the live audition. Read carefully the description of the live audition requirements. The method we recommend is YouTube, with the video set to Private so that only those who receive the URL can view it.
Preparing the video of Parts 1 and 2 (prepared jazz etude and improvisation).
Do not edit the individual performances but feel free to use "takes" that demonstrate your best work. Make sure that the camera is 10 to 12 feet from you and that the balance between your instrument and the play-along track is appropriate. When recording the prepared jazz etude, use a metronome set at the tempo indicated. Make sure the metronome is audible on the recording.