Jazz Violin, Viola, and Cello

Jazz Strings and Popular/Alternative Styles

The Jazz Strings program at UNT provides students with a solid foundation in acoustic jazz playing. The curriculum includes amplified playing and the use of electric instruments. Students will also have the opportunity to work in popular and alternative styles. Applicants may audition on violin, viola, or cello. All auditions will be on an acoustic instrument without amplification. For further information, contact Prof. Scott Tixier at scott.tixier@unt.edu.

Bachelor's and Master’s Auditions

Please note a screening (preliminary audition video) is required for all applicants. The screening will be submitted directly through the Acceptd application. On-campus auditions are preferred. Video auditions may be accepted if an applicant is unable to travel to the UNT campus for the audition; in this case, the video recording will be supplemented by a videoconference component (Skype or similar program). For doctoral audition requirements, see the DMA page.

Bachelor's

The audition for the B.M. in Jazz Studies will consist of: 1) play the melody and improvise on "Pent-Up House" by Sonny Rollins; 2) a non-classical piece in a style of the applicant’s choice; 3) an improvisation based on a chord progression that the applicant will listen to and then improvise on; 4) a movement from a Bach Partita/Sonata or Suite; 5) a sightreading example; and 6) a brief interview.

Master's

The audition for the M.M. in Jazz Studies will consist of: 1) play the melody and improvise on “Confirmation” by Charlie Parker; 2) play the melody and improvise on "All the Things You Are" by Jerome Kern or "What is This Thing Called Love?" by Cole Porter; 3) a non-classical piece in a style of the applicant’s choice; 4) an improvisation based on a chord progression that the applicant will listen to and then improvise on; 5) a movement from a Bach Partita/Sonata or Suite; 6) a sightreading example; and 7) a brief interview.

Video Audition

The video audition for the bachelor's degree should include items 1, 2, and 4 in the lists above. For the master's degree, items 1, 2, 3, and 5 should be included. The remaining items will be addressed in the videoconference.