How to Apply and Audition Requirements
For admissions and registration information/procedures, please review Admission & Registration on the University Web site. Students must satisfy the Admission Requirements for University Transfer Programs when applying for the Bachelor of Music (Jazz Studies) or for the Diploma in Jazz Studies.
When filling out the application form please include which instrument(s) you will be auditioning on in the comments section of the form.
Auditions for fall 2012 will be held the first two weeks of May 2012. Students should apply to Capilano University as early as possible to ensure an audition spot. The Jazz Studies Department will notify each applicant of their audition date and time by letter in early spring.
Theory Test
All applicants are required to demonstrate a knowledge of rudimentary music theory before gaining acceptance into the Jazz Studies Program. The entrance-level test may require applicants to:
- Identify and/or write major and minor key signatures
- Identify and/or write major, minor and blues scales
- Transpose a melody
- Label and/or spell harmonic intervals
- Analyze the harmony of a simple 4-part chorale using roman numerals.
- Label and/or spell chords using jazz chord symbols.
- Demonstrate harmonic understanding of 12-bar blues
- Demonstrate an understanding of rhythm in the context of simple and compound time signatures
Performance Audition
Auditions are performed privately before a small jury of Jazz Studies faculty members. Each applicant will perform his/her audition material, and then will be guided through a series of musical skill tests, including technique evaluations, ear evaluations, and sight reading. (See the specific requirements for your instrument type.) Applicants who demonstrate an acceptable level of musicianship and ability will be ranked competitively. A set number of first year seats are available each year.
Transfer Students
Transfer students take the same theory test and performance audition, and prepare the same requirements as first-year applicants. Auditioning faculty will be informed of the students’ previous post-secondary training, and may ask applicants to demonstrate more advanced technical skills. Additional testing (advanced theory, ear, and keyboard assessments) will be scheduled on the same date.
Jazz Woodwinds and Brass Performance Audition
Tunes:
Perform with your own single accompanist or your own background recordings. Be prepared to play a jazz standard in a medium swing tempo, a second jazz standard in a contrasting feel (i.e., latin, waltz, ballad), and a 12-bar blues. All three tunes should include at least one chorus of improvised solo. An acoustic piano, stereo system and music stand will be provided.
Technical:
• Perform a short classical etude or technical study of your choosing.
• Perform major, harmonic minor and traditional melodic minor scales, in 12 keys, ascending and descending, two octaves where possible.
• Perform arpeggios of major and minor triads and 7th chords (dom7, Maj7, min 7, min7b5, dim7) in 12 keys, ascending and descending, two octaves where possible.
• Sight-read in both classical and jazz styles.
• Sing pitches, clap rhythmic patterns, and identify triad types played by the jury.
Jazz Drums Performance Audition
Drum Set:
• Demonstrate swing, Latin, funk, and rock styles.
• Trade 4’s (play four bars of tune, then four bars of drum solo, repeat).
Snare Drum:
• Perform a long roll, flam, ruff/drag, and paradiddle.
• Perform a prepared solo which includes the above rudiments.
• Sight read patterns provided by the jury.
Jazz Piano Performance Audition
Tunes:
Perform with your own bassist or your own background recordings. Be prepared to play a jazz standard in a medium swing tempo, a second jazz standard in a contrasting feel (i.e., latin, waltz, ballad), and a 12-bar blues. All three tunes should include at least one chorus of improvised solo. An acoustic piano, stereo system and music stand will be provided.
Technical:
• Perform a short classical piece of your choosing.
• Perform major, harmonic minor and traditional melodic minor scales in 12 keys, ascending and descending, two octaves, hands together.
• Perform arpeggios of major and minor triads and dominant 7th chords, in 12 keys, ascending and descending, two octaves, hands together.
• Play Maj7, min7, Dom7, dim7, and min7b5 chords in 12 keys, both hands, solid inversions.
• Sight read in both classical and jazz styles.
• Sing pitches, clap rhythmic patterns, and identify triad types played by the jury.
Jazz Voice Performance Audition
Tunes:
Perform with your own single accompanist or with your own background recordings. Be prepared to sing a jazz standard in a medium swing tempo, a second jazz standard in a contrasting feel (i.e., latin, waltz, ballad), and a 12-bar blues. Include an improvised scat solo on at least one of your songs. An acoustic piano, stereo system and music stand will be provided.
Technical:
• Perform the four scales provided, singing numbers.
• Perform the two jazz etudes provided, using scat syllables.
• Sight sing a simple melody.
• Sing pitches, clap rhythmic patterns, and identify triad types played by the jury.
Click here to download scales and etudes voice-scales
Jazz Bowed Strings Performance Audition
Repertoire:
Be prepared to play a jazz standard in medium swing tempo, a second standard in contrasting feel (i.e., latin, ballad, waltz) and a 12-bar blues. Your performance of each selection will include the melody and at least one chorus of improvised solo playing. A faculty member will accompany the student for the jazz selections. The applicant should bring clear and legible sheet music for these pieces in order to facilitate this accompaniment. In addition, be prepared to perform a short classical etude of your choosing.
Technical:
• Perform major, melodic minor, and harmonic minor scales in 12 keys, two octaves, eighth notes at 100 bpm.
• Perform arpeggios of major and minor triads and 7th chords (dom7, maj7, min 7, min7b5, dim 7), two octaves in 12 keys.
• You will be asked to sight read in jazz and classical styles.
Jazz Guitar Performance Audition
Tunes:
Perform with the faculty guitarist provided. (You may elect to bring your own single accompanist, or your own background recordings though it is not necessary.) Be prepared to play a jazz standard in a medium swing tempo, a second jazz standard in a contrasting feel (latin, waltz, ballad, etc.), and a 12‑bar blues. For all three tunes, be prepared to play the melody, chordal accompaniment, and an improvised solo. An amplifier, stereo system and music stand will be provided.
Technical:
• Perform a G Major scale in five locations, covering the entire range of guitar (see attached guide), as well as one octave scales in C Major, F Major, Bb Major, Eb Major, E minor, A minor, D minor, G minor, and C minor. Be prepared to demonstrate an ability to adapt to harmonic minor and jazz melodic minor.
• Perform arpeggios of Maj7, dom7, min7, and min7b5 chords, in 12 keys, root position.
• Play Maj7, min7, dom7, and min 7b5 chords, in 12 keys, in various voicings along the neck and in “Drop 3” and “Ninth form” voicings (see attached examples in the key of C).
• Sight read a melody and play chordal accompaniment with a provided lead sheet.
• Sing pitches, clap rhythmic patterns, and identify triad types played by the jury.
• Optional: perform a short classical etude or technical study of your choosing.
*Guitarists in need of technical assistance are advised to consult: The Ronny Lee Jazz Guitar Method—Volume 2, Mel Bay Publications.
Click here to download scales guitar-voicings
Jazz Bass Performance Audition
Tunes:
Perform with the faculty guitarist provided. (You may elect to bring your own single accompanist or your own background recordings though it is not necessary.) Be prepared to play a jazz standard in a medium swing tempo, a second jazz standard in a contrasting feel (i.e., latin, waltz, ballad), and a 12-bar blues. For all three tunes, be prepared to play the melody, an improvised solo, and a walking bass line. An amplifier, stereo system and music stand will be provided.
Click here to see an example of a walking bass-line walking-bass
Technical:
• Electric bassists perform two octave scales in G Major, C Major, F Major, Bb Major, E minor, G minor, and A minor, and one octave scales in Eb Major, D minor and C minor. Acoustic bassists perform two octave scales in G Major, F Major, E minor and G minor, and one octave scales in C Major, Bb Major, Eb Major, C minor, A minor, and D minor.
• Perform arpeggios of Maj7, dom7, min7, and min7b5 chords, in 12 keys, root position.
• Sight read a melody and play walking bass with a provided lead sheet.
• Sing pitches, clap rhythmic patterns, and identify triad types played by the jury.
• Optional: perform a short classical etude or technical study of your own choosing.