Admissions and Auditions

Trumpet Auditions for Graduate Admission

Preliminary Screening Video

Along with the on-line application to the College of Music, all jazz trumpet applicants must submit a screening video recording. Recordings will be reviewed by the faculty to determine your advancement in the audition process. You will be notified no later than one month before your requested audition date regarding the results of this pre-screening. The deadline to do this is the first Monday in December. Preliminary screenings should include Part 1 and Part 2 (below).

Follow the directions on the College of Music application to submit a high quality video recording. Please see the musical criteria for the live audition below and use that for the preliminary video.

The pre-screening video must include Part 1 and Part 2 (below).
The screening will be submitted directly through the Acceptd application.

UNT Jazz Studies: Audition Guidelines for Jazz Trumpet (Graduate)

Prospective Jazz Studies majors whose principal instrument is trumpet will play one audition, with the Jazz Studies trumpet faculty. A classical audition will not be necessary.

Part 1 - Prepared Transcription: Prepare a transcription of your choice (at least 32 bars, not to exceed 80 bars). This can be an excerpt from a solo by one of the following soloists: Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Woody Shaw, Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Dorham, Clifford Brown, Fats Navarro, Chet Baker, Nat Adderly or Blue Mitchell. Students are encouraged to perform this from memory and should play along with the recording.

Lead trumpeters will perform an additional lead trumpet part from the following:

  • Switch in Time (Nestico) - Letter "B to C", and Letter "G" through the end. Quarter=168
  • Magic Flea (Nestico) - Letter "I" to through the end. Half=144
  • Fun Time (Nestico) - Letter "B to E", and letter "F" through the end. Quarter=126

Note: These lead trumpet parts can be found in the Basie-Nestico Lead Trumpet Book, Kendor Music, Inc. (found at SheetMusicPlus and other music sources)

Part 2 - Improvisation: Applicants will demonstrate improvisational skills by performing one chorus of melody and two improvised choruses on the following two pieces: 

  • “Confirmation” (Play along track Aebersold Volume 6, Track 4)
  • “What Is This Thing Called Love?” (Play along track Aebersold Volume 15, Track 5)

Note: Play along tracks are available at the following link: JazzBooks

Part 3 - Sight-Reading: Applicants will demonstrate sight-reading skill by performing one written jazz etude at sight. Lead trumpeters will perform a lead trumpet part.

Additional material: Students may submit additional recordings that demonstrate expertise in jazz performance by uploading 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. The recorded audition must include Part 1 and Part 2 of the live audition. Read carefully the description of the live audition requirements.

Preparing the video of Part 1 and Part 2 (prepared jazz transcription 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/metronome is appropriate. When performing your transcription, play with the original recording.

Additional material: Students who audition by recording may submit additional recordings that demonstrate expertise in jazz performance by uploading the videos in the College of Music online application. These recordings may be of live or studio performances.