Jazz Area
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
The Audition
Prospective students will undergo a 20 minute audition and interview
with members of the Jazz staff. These will be
held at the School of Music, Peter Karmel Building in Canberra. In certain
cases (such as overseas applicants or those at a distance from Canberra),
applicants may audition by way of tape, CD or video and be interviewed
by telephone. The audition falls into four parts:
Part 1: Theory
You will be asked to complete a half hour written test on the day of
your audition to show your knowledge of:
· Key signatures
· Note names in treble and bass clef
· Rhythmic notation
· Chord spelling
· Harmonic Analysis
Part 2: Practical
Vocal and Instrumental applicants
Play/sing a 12 bar blues in a jazz style.
Auditionees will be provided with an accompanist, either guitar or piano,
but must provide music in the correct key. There will be no rehearsal
time allocated with the accompanist. Auditionees may provide their own
backing, be it CD, a band or accompanying musician(s). The school will
provide keyboard, amplifier, drum kit and microphone. All else is for
the applicant to provide.
NB: In consultation with the school, distant applicants may negotiate
to submit a video presentation as directed.
Play/sing and improvise on two standard jazz tunes from memory. A list
of possible tunes is provided.
Play/sing Major and Minor Scales and Arpeggios in any key.
Read a single melody line in your clef. Bass, piano and guitar applicants
will also be asked to read chord symbols.
Sightreading
Drum applicants
Rudiments:
· Single stroke roll (slow to fast).
· Double stroke roll (slow to fast).
· Rolls from 5 stroke to 17 stroke
· Paradiddles with 4 stickings
Drum Kit
Ability to play:
· Swing feel
· 3/4 Jazz feel
· Latin feel
· Demonstrated awareness and working knowledge of Jim Chapin’s
“Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer” – Coordinated
independence as applied to Jazz and Be Bop
· OR John Riley’s “The Art of Be Bop Drumming”
Part 3: Aural
You will be asked to:
· Sing back a played melody
· Identify intervals
· Identify major and minor chords
· Clap back a rhythm
Part 4: Interview
Be prepared to discuss with the panel:
· Your interest in music
· Some of your favourite musicians
· Your performing experience
· Your academic history
· Your reasons for wanting to join the Jazz area
Suggested list of tunes for jazz applications
Choose two contrasting numbers from the following categories (Latin, Post
Bop, 3/4, Swing, BeBop, Ballad) and one Blues:
Latin:
Triste
Girls from Impanema
Wave
Corcavado
Meditation
1 Note Samba
How Insensitive
St Thomas
Little Suede |
Swing:
Tangerine
A Train
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Stompin’ At The Savoy
Song Is You
Lady Bird
Just Friends |
Blues:
(This should consist of the melody/one solo chorus improvised if
possible).
Blue Monk
Tenor Madness
Blues for Alice
Billies Bounce |
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Post Bop:
Giant Steps
Lazy Bird
Countdown |
Ballads:
Round Midnight
Misty
In A Sentimental Mood
Body & Soul |
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3/4:
Some Day My Prince Will Come
All Blues
Bluesette
Some Time Ago
Windows |
Be Bop:
Donna Lee
Confirmation
Blues For Alice
Joy Spring
Ornithology
Oleo |
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How to Apply
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