The admissions requirements linked below are for admission to the Jazz Studies major.
The College of Music now requires video recordings that are transferred electronically instead of DVD or audio recordings. In the application interface there will be a space to enter one or more links to your video. Be sure that the audio and video quality are as high as you can make them. We consider this change to be something that will help students because they no longer have to add the DVD authoring step to their preparation of audition recordings. If you have questions about this requirement please feel free to contact John Murphy, Jazz Studies division chair.
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 UNT Jazz Studies Program is a three-step process:
1. Admission to UNT
2. Admission to the UNT College of Music
3. Admission to the UNT Jazz Studies Program
The process is different for undergraduates and graduates.
Scholarships and assistantships are available. Information on these is available here.
To be admitted to the undergraduate Jazz Studies degree program:
1. Apply to UNT as an undergraduate. For undergraduate admission to the University of North Texas, apply on line at www.applytexas.org. International students apply at international.unt.edu.
2. Apply for admission to the College of Music. Click on the following link music.unt.edu/admissions (information and application forms).
3. Admission into the undergraduate Jazz Studies major is by audition. You can do this on one of the audition days held at UNT, or with a video recording. Admissions auditions for Jazz Studies are not done at the regional auditions in Chicago and Los Angeles. To submit a video recording, include a link to a video in your College of Music application. You may use any video site you like, provided that the link that you included in your application enables to view the video. Two examples: uploading it to YouTube and enable access only to those who have the URL; upload it to Vimeo, password-protect it, and include the URL and the password in your application. For further information, see the page in this section that deals with your instrument. If your questions aren't answered there, contact the teacher of your instrument by email using the address shown on the faculty page.
To be admitted to the graduate Jazz Studies degree program:
1. Apply to the University of North Texas Toulouse School of Graduate Studies at gradschool.unt.edu. International students apply at international.unt.edu. For the Jazz Studies M.M., the GRE requirement is: Take the Analytical Writing Portion of the GRE (only this part, not Verbal or Quantitative) OR pass the jazz studies in-house writing exam. If you choose to take the GRE Analytical writing exam, the results must be submitted to the Toulouse Graduate School before your first semester of enrollme. If you choose the jazz studies in-house writing exam, you must take it during new graduate student orientation, before the start of classes in August.
2. Apply to the Jazz Studies graduate program in the College of Music; see music.unt.edu/admissions (information and application forms).
3. Admission into the graduate Jazz Studies major is by audition. You can do this on one of the audition days held at UNT, or with a video recording. Admissions auditions for Jazz Studies are not done at the regional auditions in Chicago and Los Angeles. To submit a video recording, include a link to a video (not the video file) in your College of Music application. You may use any video site you like, provided that the link that you included in your application enables to view the video. Two examples: uploading it to YouTube and enable access only to those who have the URL; upload it to Vimeo, password-protect it, and include the URL and the password in your application. For further information, see the page in this section that refers to your instrument. If your questions aren't answered there, contact the teacher of your instrument by email using the address shown on the faculty page.
Second Bachelor's Status and IELI
If you are considering applying to the Jazz Studies program under second bachelor's status, which means you have earned a completed bachelor's degree and you wish to earn a second one, or you anticipate having to study in UNT's Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) in order to satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement, please read the Jazz Studies policy on second bachelor's status.
Auditions for Admission into the Jazz Studies Major and Jazz Scholarships
The University of North Texas College of Music audition dates for 2013 are January 26, February 2, and February 23. On these dates, prospective students may audition for admission to the College of Music and for admission into the Jazz Studies major. This page includes general information on auditions; for instrument-specific requirements, see the links on the main page in this section.
Undergraduates will need to audition both for the jazz major and for your instrumental concentration (which is also referred to as the "classical" audition). Exceptions to this are jazz bass, guitar, and voice students, whose jazz audition will also serve as the concentration audition. See this page for information on the requirements for the concentration ("classical") audition.
Graduates will need to audition for admission to the Jazz Studies degree program.
Your audition for admission will also serve as the audition for scholarship consideration.
This page has information on admission at the bachelor's and master's level. For information on doctoral-level admission, please see our page on the local concentration in Jazz Studies within the DMA in Performance.
Undergraduate (Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance/Bass Concentration)
You are encouraged to audition live at UNT. Contact Lynn Seaton to schedule an appointment, or choose one of the scheduled Saturday audition dates at the College of Music. If you are an international student and cannot come for a live audition, or if it is a hardship to come in person to UNT for a live audition, email Professor Seaton in addition to marking that on your application.
Undergraduate Audition for Admission and Scholarships
We request that you do your audition in two parts: a video that shows what you can do with advance preparation, and a live audition,, which covers sight-reading, scales, etc., as explained below.
1. Submit video links Follow the directions on the College of Music application to submit a high quality recorded video audition by using youtube.com, vimeo.com, or similar web service. Your recording (or set of recordings) should be no longer than 15 or 20 minutes. After you submit the online UNT College of Music application, you will be prompted to go to your student dashboard. Select the Screening/Audition tab and follow instructions to submit links to your videos. It will be necessary to combine two of the pieces into one video so the four (4) available links will contain all five of the required styles. 1) medium tempo standard, 2) jazz blues, 3) jazz ballad, 4) fusion, Latin or funk, and 5) up-tempo standard or rhythm changes. The medium tempo standard and jazz blues should include both a walking bass line and a solo. The others may also contain a solo. All selections should show your ability to function in a rhythm section. (For example, you could record yourself with a video camera while making an audio demo at home, school, a concert, in a studio, etc.) You can record something with a rhythm section, or record yourself playing with a Jamey Aebersold play-along recording or the equivalent. We have no expectations on the quality of the recording. In other words, it is not necessary to record in a professional studio. Make sure you can be seen and heard.
OPTIONAL: In addition to the video, you may also submit a supplemental publicly released audio CD or DVD recording in which you play.
Label your supplemental disk with your name, "jazz bass audition", and the song titles. Send your video to:
Becky Hughes
College of Music
1155 Union Circle #311367
Denton, TX 76203-5017
2. The Live audition for acceptance to the Jazz Bass program will contain some of the following:
One octave major, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales at least two fingerings for each scale
Ability to read basic bass line charts with written lines in several different rhythmic styles (swing, bossa nova, rock, funk, etc.)
Ability to improvise a walking bass line on a chart of a basic jazz chord progression
Ability to improvise a walking bass line on a jazz version of 12-bar blues progressions in at least the keys of G, C, F, Bb, Eb, and Ab
Ability to sight read walking bass lines, notes (some melodies), and improvise bass lines and some soloing on big band and lead sheet charts.
Ability to play all pieces in audition with a good, even time feel (unaccompanied) and a minimum of hesitations when sight-reading (ability to keep going).
If a live audition is not possible, the admission decision may be made with the video only. You will need to pass a reading audition, which will happen as part of the lab band placement auditions that occur the weekend before school starts each semester.
If you are an international student and cannot come for a live audition, or if it is a hardship to come to come in person to UNT for a live audition, email Professor Seaton in addition to marking that on your application. lynn.seaton@unt.edu
New bass students at UNT desiring to become jazz majors may take many of the freshman jazz courses (including Bass Fundamentals and Bass Styles), with certain prerequisites, even before full acceptance into the jazz degree program. Full acceptance as a jazz studies major will occur after successful completion of MUJS 1131 Jazz Performance Fundamentals I for Bass, MUJS 1132 Jazz Performance Fundamentals II for Bass, and acceptance into a jazz lab band by live audition. Jazz lab auditions take place each semester the week prior to the start of classes. They consist of sight reading typical big band charts (reading notes, walking bass lines etc.)
Ability to play both acoustic and electric basses is not required for entrance into the bachelor's in jazz performance program but is part of the requisites for completing the degree. Placement into most lab bands does require ability to play upright and electric well. The greater the student's experience on both instruments upon entering the program, the easier the process will be. UNT is an upright oriented program with required classical and jazz bass lessons.
Even if you do a live audition for admission, submitting a video recording is still necessary.
Graduate (Master of Music in Jazz Performance/Bass Concentration)
You are encouraged to audition live at UNT. Contact Lynn Seaton to schedule an appointment, or choose one of the scheduled Saturday audition dates at the College of Music. If you are an international student and cannot come for a live audition, or if it is a hardship to come in person to UNT for a live audition, email Professor Seaton in addition to marking that on your application.
Graduate Audition Video for Admission and Scholarships
We request that you do your audition in two parts: a video that shows what you can do with advance preparation, and a live audition, which covers sight-reading, scales, etc., as explained below.
1. Submit video links Follow the directions on the College of Music application to submit a high quality recorded video audition by using youtube.com, vimeo.com, or similar web service. Your recording (or set of recordings) should be no longer than 15 or 20 minutes. After you submit the online UNT College of Music application, you will be prompted to go to your student dashboard. Select the Screening/Audition tab and follow instructions to submit links to your videos. It will be necessary to combine two of the pieces into one video so the four (4) available links will contain all five of the required styles.: 1) medium tempo standard, 2) jazz blues, 3) jazz ballad, 4) fusion, Latin or funk, and 5) Play the melody, improvise a walking bass line, and solo on an up-tempo version of "Confirmation" from memory. The medium tempo standard and jazz blues should include both a walking bass line and a solo. The others may also contain a solo. Use the bow on one or more of the upright tunes. All selections should show your ability to function in a rhythm section. (For example, you could record yourself with a video camera while making an audio demo at home, school, a concert, in a studio, etc.) You can record something with a rhythm section, or record yourself playing with a Jamey Aebersold play-along recording or the equivalent. We have no expectations on the quality of the recording. In other words, it is not necessary to record in a professional studio. Make sure you can be seen and heard.
OPTIONAL: In addition to the video, you may also submit a supplemental publicly released audio CD or DVD recording in which you play.
Label your supplemental disk with your name, "jazz bass audition", and the song titles. Send your video to:
Becky Hughes
College of Music
1155 Union Circle #311367
Denton, TX 76203-5017
2. Play a live audition for admission into the College of Music that will contain some of the following:
All of the required skills at the undergraduate level
Ability to play the melody, improvise a walking bass line, and solo on "Confirmation" from memory
Ability to improvise a walking or appropriate style bass line on a chart of complex jazz harmony (e.g. Wayne Shorter or Thelonious Monk tunes, etc.)
Ability to improvise a walking bass line on common jazz variations on a 12 bar blues progressions in all 12 keys
Ability to improvise a walking bass line on the progression to "I Got Rhythm" (Rhythm Changes) in at least three keys including Bb
Ability to sight read walking bass lines, notes (some melodies), and improvise bass lines and solos on big band and lead sheet charts.
Some jazz soloing ability at least appropriate for second year improvisation classes at UNT (basic jazz standards and blues in several keys)
Ability to play: the melody, an improvised bass line, and solo on at least ten jazz standards from memory. Have a list with you.
Ability to play at least two contrasting pieces in the classical style is recommended. At least two years of college-level classical double bass lessons experience is highly recommended.
Attention will be paid to time feel, stylistic authenticity, technical proficiency, tone, musical background, overall musicianship, and potential for development.
Even if you do a live audition for admission, submitting a video is still necessary.
If you are an international student and cannot come for a live audition, or if it is a hardship to come to come in person to UNT for a live audition, email Professor Seaton in addition to marking that on your application. lynn.seaton@unt.edu
Ability to play both acoustic and electric basses is not required for entrance into the master's jazz performance program but is part of placement auditions into lab bands. Placement into most lab bands does require ability to play upright and electric well. The greater the student's experience on both instruments upon entering the program, the easier the process will be. UNT is an upright oriented program.
If your ability on the acoustic bass is limited, you may be required to pass the classical upper division exam. This may occur after some classical study at UNT. It will be considered a deficiency requirement until completed. The exam consists of playing a classical concerto on the level of the Dragonnetti for the classical faculty.
Doctoral - DMA in Performance with Local Concentration in Jazz Studies
For information on doctoral-level admission, please see our page on the local concentration in Jazz Studies within the DMA in Performance.
Students who are preparing to apply and audition for the Jazz Studies M.M. program need to know that the GRE requirement has changed. Until now, students have been asked to take the Verbal and Quantitative GRE. Now those sections are no longer required.
This is the new GRE requirement:
Submit score from the GRE (Analytical Writing Section only) or pass the in-house writing exam administered by Jazz Studies during the required orientation for admitted students prior to the start of the Fall semester. If the applicant chooses the GRE Analytical Writing Section option, the score must be submitted prior to the start of the first semester of enrollment. If the applicant chooses the in-house exam option, and does not pass it during the required new graduate student orientation, then a maximum of two re-takes are possible. The exam must be passed before the student is permitted to register for spring semester classes.
Jazz Studies majors with a concentration in drumset must audition for admission to the College of Music in the following areas in addition to drumset:
Snare Drum: A rudimental and/or orchestral snare solo or etude; rolls, flams, and associated rudiments.
Marimba / Vibes: Scales and arpeggios: major, harmonic minor, and chromatic; an etude or jazz improvisation.
More detailed repetoire information is available from the percussion department. We prefer that you audition in person, especially for scholarship consideration. If that is not possible, a set of video recordings totaling 30 minutes of your drumset, mallet, and snare playing is acceptable. 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.
Recorded auditions: Showcase your drumset skills as a rhythmic improvisor in a variety of styles (e.g., jazz, funk, fusion, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, etc.). Video yourself with a combo, big band, or with a play-along rhythm track of your choice. 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.
Live audition: This audition on drumset consists of sight-reading a big band chart; playing a tune of your choice by playing the melody on the drumset and improvising at least four choruses on the tune form; playing along with various stylistic rhythm tracks.
For information on percussion auditions, see the Percussion audition page. Specific drumset questions should be directed to Ed Soph at (940) 369-7536.
Choose one of the scheduled Saturday audition dates at the College of Music. Prepare three jazz standards of varying tempos and styles, of which one should be a ballad chord solo without accompaniment. The other two choices could be a blues or medium tempo standard, up tempo standard or bebop, bossa nova, samba, fusion, funk, etc. performed with a pre-recorded track (Jamey Aebersold recordings or the equivalent). An example of possible tune choices might be: Billie's Bounce, Oleo, Round Midnight, Yesterdays, You Stepped Out of a Dream, How Deep is the Ocean?, All the Things You Are, etc. Please bring your accompaniment tracks with you to the audition.
Prospective undergraduate jazz guitar students do not need to play an audition on classical guitar.
If you are unable to attend the scheduled auditions, you may submit a recorded audition. Submit a total of approximately 15 minutes of video recordings and be sure to include a chord solo and two tracks with accompaniment, which must include the melody, comping and soloing. 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.
To be considered for a graduate teaching fellowship you must audition in person at UNT. Live auditions are given preference in scholarship consideration, however if distance or another problem makes this impossible contact Fred Hamilton at frederick.hamilton@unt.edu.
On-campus and recorded auditions are accepted. For those who choose an on-campus audition, contact Stefan Karlsson to schedule an appointment, or choose one of the scheduled Saturday audition dates at the College of Music. Your audition should not exceed 20 minutes. Please prepare the following:
1. One solo piano selection (preferably a ballad from the standard jazz repertoire)
2. One blues in a common key (medium swing tempo)
3. One selection from the standard jazz repertoire of your choice in the style of bossa nova, samba, or funk
4. One uptempo selection of your choice (could include an original composition; quarter note=220 or above)
If you are doing an on-campus audition, please bring your play-along tracks.
For the recorded audition, the recordings can show you playing with play-along tracks or with a live rhythm section. 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.
Classical audition
All undergraduate applicants must also pass the classical piano audition at the concentration level - http://music.unt.edu/admissions/undergraduate-repertoire - click on piano and refer to the "Piano Concentration" paragraph. If scheduled to audition on campus, each applicant will play two auditions - one classical and one jazz. If auditioning by recording, each applicant must submit both classical and jazz recordings using the College of Music admission website.
Jazz piano majors take classical lessons the first year (plus a two-semester jazz piano fundamentals class); jazz and classical lessons in years two and three; and jazz lessons in year four.
Ensemble auditions
Each semester, a live audition will take place the week prior to classes. This is a placement audition for the various jazz lab ensembles and master-classes. For further information, see the ensemble audition page.
For more specific information regarding the jazz piano area, see the Applied Jazz Piano page.
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Stefan Karlsson at stefan.karlsson@unt.edu.
The aesthetic for admission into the jazz composition track at UNT is built around a demonstration of competence in writing for and orchestrating for modern jazz, including a strong understanding of the modern large jazz ensemble, as well as various small group formats. It is also our belief that the strongest composers in jazz are performing instrumentalists and/or vocalists. Admitted students are expected to audition for a Lab Band or Jazz Singers when the fall semester begins. All students in the jazz composition track will be required to be enrolled in a Lab Band or Jazz Singers ensemble during every long semester during their graduate work at UNT.
The required application materials for prospective students in the Jazz Composition track of the Jazz Studies M.M. are:
1. Jazz Composition Portfolio
All representative work must be prepared in computer notation format (Finale or Sibelius, exported to PDF to avoid problems with software versions), accompanied by a recording (audio of live performance in mp3, wav, or aiff format, filesize limited to 8MB; or a link to a video on youtube or another public site) submitted in electronic format via the UNT College of Music application website or sent as an email attachment to Prof. Richard DeRosa at richard.derosa@unt.edu. If you need to submit a MIDI file of your work, please send that as an email attachment to Prof. DeRosa.
a. two compositions for modern jazz big band in two different styles
b. two compositions for rhythm section and at least three horns.
c. one composition for rhythm section and more than three horns/voice, vocal ensemble, or orchestral writing (strings, orch winds, etc.)
2. Performance audition on your respective instrument at one of the three yearly on-campus audition days or via recording. Check the audition requirements for your instrument. If you choose to submit a recording, 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.
Undergraduate students
The University of North Texas College of Music jazz saxophone entrance and scholarship auditions must be performed with play-along CDs that are furnished by the student. The audition should include improvised solo examples of three jazz standards of varying tempos and styles. Undergraduate students are required to perform an improvised solo on "There Will Never Be Another You" (Warren/Gordon). Students are required to select and perform one selection from the Charlie Parker Omnibook.
Please note: Undergraduates must also play a classical audition. The following requirements for the classical audition are taken from the guidelines published here on the College of Music web site:
Maurice - Tableaux de Provence; Glazunov - Concerto; Creston - Sonata; Ibert - Concertino da Camera; Ferling - 48 Etudes (slow-fast). Please note that the classical works listed are only suggested pieces; any standard work of comparable quality is acceptable. There is no memorization requirement. The instrumentalist should prepare 10-15 minutes of music.
Graduate students
Graduate students are required to perform an improvised solo on Charlie Parker's "Confirmation," and two additional selections you choose 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. Students are required to select and perform one selection from the Charlie Parker Omnibook.
Additional notes
Saxophonists who cannot perform a scholarship/entrance audition at the University of North Texas College of Music must 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. Live performances and video performances are judged on an equal basis. Scholarship/entrance audition deadlines are published on the College of Music website. Undergraduate jazz saxophone majors are required to study classical and jazz saxophone in private lessons and must have appropriate equipment (mouthpiece and reed setups for each).
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:
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:
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 may be mailed or presented to the auditioner at the live audition.
Labeling Instructions:
Label all recordings with the following information:
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.
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.
UNT Jazz Studies: Auditions Guidelines for Trumpet (Graduate)
The live audition shall consist of three 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:
Lead trumpeters will perform an additional lead trumpet part from the following:
Note: These lead trumpet parts can be found in the Basie-Nestico Lead Trumpet Book, Kendor Music, Inc.
Part 2 - Improvisation:
Applicants must demonstrate improvisation skill by performing one chorus of melody and two improvised choruses on three tunes selected from the following list
(Confirmation is required). All performances will be with the play-only tracks as specified.
Title Suggested Play-Along Track
Required:
Confirmation Aebersold Volume 6, Track 4
Two other tunes from the following:
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.
Part 3 - Sightreading:
Applicants will demonstrate sight reading skill by performing one written jazz etude(s) at sight. Lead trumpeters will perform a lead trumpet part.
Additional material:
Students who audition live may submit additional recordings that demonstrate expertise in jazz performance by including links to the videos in the College of Music online application. These recordings may be of live or studio performances.
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 first two parts of the live audition. Sightreading is not required for recorded auditions. 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.
Additional material: Students who audition by recording may submit additional recordings that demonstrate expertise in jazz performance by including links to the videos in the College of Music online application. These recordings may be of live or studio performances.
UNT Jazz Studies: Audition Guidelines for Trumpet (Undergraduate)
Please note: The following guidelines describe the jazz audition. Undergraduates must also perform a classical audition; classical repertoire information. The live audition shall consist of three 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:
Lead trumpeters will perform an additional lead trumpet part from the following:
Note: These lead trumpet parts can be found in the Basie-Nestico Lead Trumpet Book, Kendor Music, Inc.
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-only tracks as specified.
Title Suggested Play-Along Track Required: There Will Never Be Another You (Another Yew) Aebersold Volume 15, Track 2 Two other tunes from the following:
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.
Part 3 - Sightreading: Applicants will demonstrate sight reading skill by performing one written jazz etude(s) at sight. Lead trumpeters will perform a lead trumpet part.
Additional material:Students who audition live may submit additional recordings that demonstrate expertise in jazz performance by including links to the videos in the College of Music online application. These recordings may be of live or studio performances.
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 first two parts of the live audition. Sightreading is not required for recorded auditions. 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.
Additional material:Students who audition by recording may submit additional recordings that demonstrate expertise in jazz performance by including links to the videos in the College of Music online application. These recordings may be of live or studio performances.
See the Vocal Jazz at UNT page for more information about Vocal Jazz at UNT.
Acceptance into the Jazz Studies degree program for vocalists
All vocal students (both undergraduate and graduate) who are interested in auditioning to be a Jazz Studies major must submit a video screening recording as the first step in the audition process. See below for more details on the procedure and requirements for that recording, which is different for undergraduate and graduate students. Please note that both undergraduate and graduate new students may only begin their degree program study in the Fall semester if admitted (not Spring or Summer) each year, due to the curricular and private lesson assignment flow from one semester to the next. Please plan accordingly.
1. For acceptance into the College of Music as a vocal Jazz Studies major, undergraduate students must:
a. Complete and submit an application to the University of North Texas (visit page for application information)
b. Complete and submit an application to the College of Music
c. Submit (upload) a video screening recording (visit for general information about screening recordings This recording must include two song selections: a ballad and a medium swing selection (with or without vocal improvisation).
d. Based on that recording, you may be invited to perform a live audition (see below)
If invited to perform a live undergraduate audition (DENTON CAMPUS ONLY), you should be prepared to do the following:
• Sing one memorized medium swing or up-tempo song (from the standard jazz repertoire)
• Sing one memorized jazz ballad.
• Sing one song in an alternate style (samba, bossa nova, funk, pop, etc.).
• Sight read short rhythmic and melodic examples
• Respond to aural testing (tonal memory, chord tone recognition, etc.)
• Be vocalized throughout your full vocal range and demonstrate proficient vocal technique
You may bring an accompanist, pre-recorded accompaniment, or lead sheets of your music (in which case an accompanist will be provided). Vocal improvisation is encouraged but not required for the audition. It is recommended (but not required) that you perform different selections at the live audition from the selections you submit on your screening recording.
• Undergraduate applicants who are unable to audition in person for College of Music acceptance may submit video recordings containing the selections described above. Follow the directions on the College of Music application to submit a high quality recorded video audition by using youtube.com or vimeo.com. Audition recordings (links to your videos) must be received by the last live audition date. If your recordings pass the vocal performance portion of the audition for admission, you will then be contacted to arrange a video (Skype) audition for the sight-reading and aural testing portions of the audition.
Graduate Auditions and Graduate Teaching Assistantships & Fellowships
Graduate students living in the US must audition live (Denton Campus ONLY) for consideration for acceptance to the jazz studies program at UNT. All candidates (national & international) must submit video screening recordings of a performance that includes the following 4 selections before being invited for a live audition: medium swing tune, up-tempo swing tune, jazz ballad, tune in an alternate jazz style (bossa nova, afro-cuban, etc.). The performance can be a public one, or a recording of your performance in a rehearsal space. There must be at least two choruses of improvisation on one of the swing selections. Follow the directions on the College of Music application to submit a high quality recorded video audition by using youtube.com or vimeo.com. For those candidates living outside the US and who do not plan to audition live , the video recordings must include all of the criteria listed below except for the sight reading. If your recordings pass the vocal performance portions of the audition for admission, you will then be contacted to arrange a video (Skype) audition for the sight-reading and aural testing portion of the audition. For more information regarding graduate admissions visit page 1 and page 2.
Requirements for Live and Recorded auditions
1. Sing a medium swing selection (1/4 note = 120-160 bpm)
2. Sing an up-tempo swing selection (1/4 note = 220 bpm or faster)
NOTE: You will be required to demonstrate at least one chorus of improvisation on your medium and up-tempo swing selections.
3. Sing a jazz ballad (i.e., Body and Soul, My Foolish Heart, Detour Ahead)
4. Sing a song in an alternate jazz style (bossa nova, samba, afro-cuban, funk, etc.)
5. At the piano, play the chord changes with a swing feel for one of the following songs: All of Me, Bye Bye Blackbird, Satin Doll, or Take the A Train (Singing while playing is optional but encouraged)
6. Sight read several musical examples in different tempi and styles to demonstrate a competent level of sight-reading proficiency. For students who are auditioning by video recording, the sight reading will be done via a Skype conference call, to be arranged at a time arranged by the prospective student and faculty member.
Graduate Teaching Assistanships and Fellowships
The vocal jazz area has four positions for graduate students who are interested in teaching at the same time as being a student. These teaching assignments depend on the applicant's having passed certain courses, some of which have prerequisites, therefore they may not be available to entering students in their first year of study. However, if you would like to express your interest in being considered for one of those teaching positions, IN ADDITION TO THE MATERIAL YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR VOCAL AUDITION, you should also plan to bring, discuss and prepare the following:
1. A resume of all music teaching experience
2. Recommendation letters from people who've worked with you or observed your work as a professional musician and/or educator (please keep these recent -- from people within the past 3 years)
3. Vocal arrangements you've written (if you have any), with recordings if available
4. Recordings of any groups you have directed (audio or video)
5. Play piano as if accompanying a student from a basic lead sheet (we'd like to see you able to play in a medium swing feel, ballad and bossa, perhaps on the same song). You may do that on one of your vocal audition pieces or something different. Note: Not being able to do that on an expert level does NOT automatically mean that you won't be considered, but we just need to know your ability level in that area.
6. Discuss the music that is inspiring you at this time, and perhaps a few vocal artists who've been influential in your formation artistically.
7. Discuss your background and understanding of vocal pedagogy as it pertains to singing jazz, and the ways that may be similar to or distinct from classical voice pedagogy.
8. Discuss your materials, strengths and weaknesses, goals and philosophy of music & teaching.
NOTE: We would prefer that you put any recordings, videos and vocal arrangements online (Dropbox, YouTube, Google Drive, etc.), in which case you may simply provide us with a list of the links with descriptions. Hard copies (CD, DVD, printed pages) will be accepted, but are less desirable.