Jazz Studies

There is no prescreening for Jazz Trumpet applicants.

You will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

• January 17-18, 2025
• February 7-8, 2025
• March 7-8, 2025

Auditions will be accompanied by a live rhythm section.

You should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.

Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz Studies, Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.) - Jazz Studies Emphasis

• Play the melody and improvise on two tunes (from memory): one that is not a blues, "rhythm changes" tune, or ballad; and one tune selected from the following:

All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love

• Major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished and ascending melodic minor scales (and their modes)
• Possible sight-reading of chord changes and typical jazz ensemble parts
• A prepared jazz ensemble part that will be sent in advance

Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.) in Jazz Studies, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

• Play the melody and improvise on the chord changes of one tune from each of the following three lists (from memory):

Bebop tunes: Confirmation, Donna Lee, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Joy Spring, Stablemates

Standard tunes: All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?

Post-bop tunes: Bolivia, Dolphin Dance, Giant Steps, Inner Urge, Moment's Notice, Moontrane

• Major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished and ascending melodic minor scales (and their modes)
• Possible sight-reading of chord changes and typical jazz ensemble parts
• A prepared jazz ensemble part that will be sent in advance

There is no prescreening for Jazz Trombone applicants.

You will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

• January 17-18, 2025
• February 7-8, 2025
• March 7-8, 2025

Auditions will be accompanied by a live rhythm section.

You should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.

Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz Studies, Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.) - Jazz Studies Emphasis

• Play the melody and improvise on two tunes (from memory): one that is not a blues, "rhythm changes" tune, or ballad; and one tune selected from the following:

All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?

• Major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished and ascending melodic minor scales (and their modes)
• Possible sight-reading of chord changes and typical jazz ensemble parts

Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.) in Jazz Studies, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

• Play the melody and improvise on the chord changes of one tune from each of the following three lists (from memory):

Bebop tunes: Confirmation, Donna Lee, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Joy Spring, Stablemates

Standard tunes: All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?

Post-bop tunes: Bolivia, Dolphin Dance, Giant Steps, Inner Urge, Moment's Notice, Moontrane

• Major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished and ascending melodic minor scales (and their modes)
• Possible sight-reading of chord changes and typical jazz ensemble parts

All Jazz Saxophone applicants must submit prescreen recordings via the JSOM Supplemental application by December 1.

Select applicants will be invited to a live audition based on prescreen review. If you are invited, you will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

• January 17-18, 2025
• February 7-8, 2025
• March 7-8, 2025

Auditions will be accompanied by a live rhythm section.

You may audition on soprano, alto, tenor, or baritone saxophone, and should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.

Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz Studies, Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.) - Jazz Studies Emphasis

Prescreening Requirements

• In your video recording, please include a spoken introduction stating your name, degree interest, hometown, school, teachers, how many years you have played the saxophone, and other instruments you play.
• Please also upload a résumé indicating your musical and academic accomplishments, your civic activities, private lesson teachers, etc.
• Jazz repertoire: Play the melody and improvise on three tunes from memory: one blues tune; one tune that is not a blues, "rhythm changes" tune, or ballad; and one tune selected from the following:

All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?

• Classical repertoire: Two contrasting etudes or movements from standard works (lyrical and technical)
• Four full-range scales of your choice. Play one scale entirely staccato and the others slurred.

Audition Requirements (Jazz repertoire only)

• Play the melody and improvise on three tunes from memory: one blues tune; one tune that is not a blues, "rhythm changes" tune, or ballad; and one tune selected from the following:

All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?

•  
• Full-range scales in all keys, including major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished, and ascending melodic minor scales (and their modes)
• Possible sight-reading of chord changes and typical jazz ensemble parts

Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.) in Jazz Studies, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

Prescreening Requirements

• In your video recording, please include a spoken introduction stating your name, degree interest, hometown, school, teachers, how many years you have played the saxophone, and other instruments you play.
• Please also upload a résumé indicating your musical and academic accomplishments, your civic activities, private lesson teachers, etc.
• Include video recordings of the following repertoire requirements.

Repertoire requirements for prescreening and audition

• Play the melody and improvise on the chord changes of one tune from each of the following three lists (from memory):

Bebop tunes: Confirmation, Donna Lee, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Joy Spring, Stablemates

Standard tunes: All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?

Post-bop tunes: Bolivia, Dolphin Dance, Giant Steps, Inner Urge, Moment's Notice, Moontrane

• Full-range scales in all keys, including major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished, and ascending melodic minor scales (and their modes). For the prescreen recording, play four full-range scales of your choice – one entirely in staccato and the others slurred.
• Possible sight-reading of chord changes and typical jazz ensemble parts

There is no prescreening for Jazz Piano applicants.

You will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

• January 17-18, 2025
• February 7-8, 2025
• March 7-8, 2025

Auditions will be accompanied by a live rhythm section.

You should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.

Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz Studies, Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.) - Jazz Studies Emphasis

• Jazz repertoire: Play the melody with chord changes, comp chord changes, and solo in the right hand with chord changes in the left hand on two tunes (from memory): one that is not a blues, "rhythm changes" tune, or ballad; and one tune selected from the following:

All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?

• Classical repertoire: Play three contrasting classical pieces (from memory), including:

A Prelude and Fugue from Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier (either Book 1 or 2)

A first movement of a classical sonata from Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven (excluding Beethoven's Op. 2/1, Op. 49/1, and Op. 79)

A short work from the nineteenth or twentieth century

• Major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished and ascending melodic minor scales (and their modes)
• Possible sight-reading of chord changes and typical jazz ensemble parts

Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.) in Jazz Studies, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

• Play the melody and improvise on the chord changes of one tune from each of the following three lists (from memory):

Bebop tunes: Confirmation, Donna Lee, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Joy Spring, Stablemates

Standard tunes: All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?

Post-bop tunes: Bolivia, Dolphin Dance, Giant Steps, Inner Urge, Moment's Notice, Moontrane

• Major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished and ascending melodic minor scales (and their modes)
• Possible sight-reading of chord changes and typical jazz ensemble parts

All Jazz Guitar applicants must submit prescreen recordings via the JSOM Supplemental application by December 1.

Select applicants will be invited to a live audition based on prescreen review. If you are invited, you will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

• January 17-18, 2025
• February 7-8, 2025
• March 7-8, 2025

Auditions will be accompanied by a live rhythm section.

You should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.

Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz Studies, Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.) - Jazz Studies Emphasis

Prescreening Requirements

Submit a video recording, including:

• Perform the melody, comp chord changes, and improvise on two tunes (from memory):
  • One that is a blues, "rhythm changes" tune, or bebop tune
  • One selected from the following: All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?
• Perform one solo jazz guitar piece (chord melody). This can be an original arrangement of a jazz standard or a transcription.

Audition Requirements

Prepare all prescreen repertoire, plus:

• Major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished, harmonic minor and ascending melodic minor scales (and their respective modes). All of these scales should be played in two positions on the fingerboard.
• Be prepared to demonstrate your chord voicing knowledge and comp in various styles including: four-to-the-bar (sometimes referred to as Freddie Green comping), bebop comping and Latin styles such as Bossa Nova and Samba.
• Be prepared to sight-read single note lines and chord progressions.

Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.) in Jazz Studies, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

Prescreening Requirements

Submit a video recording, including:

• Perform the melody, comp chord changes, and improvise on one tune from each of the following three lists (from memory):

Bebop tunes: Confirmation, Donna Lee, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Joy Spring, Stablemates

Standard tunes: All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?

Post-bop tunes: Bolivia, Dolphin Dance, Giant Steps, Inner Urge, Moment's Notice, Moontrane

• Perform one solo jazz guitar piece (chord melody). This can be an original arrangement of a jazz standard or a transcription.

Audition Requirements

Prepare all prescreen repertoire, plus:

• Major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished, harmonic minor and ascending melodic minor scales (and their respective modes). All of these scales should be played in two positions on the fingerboard.
• Be prepared to demonstrate your chord voicing knowledge and comp in various styles including: four-to-the-bar (sometimes referred to as Freddie Green comping), bebop comping and Latin styles such as Bossa Nova and Samba.

There is no prescreening for Jazz Bass applicants.

You will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

• January 17-18, 2025
• February 7-8, 2025
• March 7-8, 2025

Auditions will be accompanied by a live rhythm section.

You should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.

Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz Studies, Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.) - Jazz Studies Emphasis

• Play the melody, walk the bass line, and improvise on two tunes (from memory):
  • One that is not a blues, "rhythm changes" tune, or ballad
  • One selected from the following: All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?
• Major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished and ascending melodic minor scales (and their modes)
• Possible sight-reading of chord changes and typical jazz ensemble parts

Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.) in Jazz Studies, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

• Play the melody, and improvise on the chord changes of one tune from each of the following three lists (from memory):

Bebop tunes: Confirmation, Donna Lee, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Joy Spring, Stablemates

Standard tunes: All Things You Are, Confirmation, Groovin' High, Half Nelson, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Joy Spring, On Green Dolphin Street, Stella by Starlight, Four, In a Mellow Tone, What Is This Thing Called Love?

Post-bop tunes: Bolivia, Dolphin Dance, Giant Steps, Inner Urge, Moment's Notice, Moontrane

• Major scales (and their modes), whole tone, diminished and ascending melodic minor scales (and their modes). Scales should be 2 or 3 octaves.
• Possible sight-reading of chord changes and typical jazz ensemble parts

All Jazz Percussion applicants must submit prescreen recordings via the JSOM Supplemental application by December 1.

Select applicants will be invited to a live audition based on prescreen review. If you are invited, you will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

• January 17-18, 2025
• February 7-8, 2025
• March 7-8, 2025

Auditions will be accompanied by a live rhythm section.

You should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.

Prescreening Requirements

Submit a video recording, including the repertoire listed below.

Audition Requirements

Auditions are by invitation only based on prescreen review. Auditions will be accompanied by a live rhythm section.

Prepare the following repertoire requirements.

Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz Studies, Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.) – Jazz Studies Emphasis

Prescreen and audition repertoire

• Snare Drum
  • One solo or etude from Delecluse, Albright, Cirone, Peters, Goldenberg, or equivalent
• Drum Set
  • One prepared piece: big band chart, transcription, or published solo
  • Demonstration of time and soloing in the following styles: medium swing, up-tempo swing, rock, bossa nova, and samba
  • Play-along tracks are preferred
• Vibraphone (optional)
  • One jazz standard, transcription, or solo work (2 or 4 mallets)
• World Percussion (optional)
  • Demonstrate basic skills and techniques on the world percussion instrument of your choice (conga drum, timbales, djembe, dumbek, etc.) with an emphasis on good time and feel.  Knowledge of the appropriate musical context is expected.  
    • Suggested material: Afro-Cuban rhythms presented in the "Introduction to the Conga Drum" DVD, Part III (Spiro/SherMusic)

Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.) in Jazz Studies, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

Prescreen and audition repertoire

• Snare Drum
  • An advanced level etude/solo of your choice
• Drum Set
  • One prepared piece: big band chart (with play-along track), transcription, or published solo
  • Demonstration of time and soloing in the following styles: medium swing, up-tempo swing, rock, bossa nova, and samba
  • Play-along tracks are preferred
• Vibraphone (optional)
  • An advanced-level jazz vibraphone solo (jazz standard, transcription, or solo work), 4 mallets preferred
• World Percussion (optional)
  • If you have any experience with World Percussion (Afro-Cuban hand-drumming, Steel Pan, Brazilian, etc.), a short performance is encouraged.

All Jazz Voice applicants must submit prescreen recordings via the JSOM Supplemental application by December 1.

Select applicants will be invited to a live audition based on prescreen review. If you are invited, you will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

• January 17-18, 2025
• February 7-8, 2025
• March 7-8, 2025

Auditions will be accompanied by a live rhythm section.

You should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.

Undergraduate applicants

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz Studies, Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.) - Jazz Studies Emphasis

Prescreening Requirements

Submit a video recording, including:

• Two jazz songs of contrasting tempo and style:

• One medium-tempo song from the following composers: Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Rodgers/Hart or Irving Berlin. Medium/fast tempo. Improvisation optional.

  One of the following songs: Ornithology (Charlie Parker), Au Privave (Charlie Parker), Moose the Mooche (Charlie Parker), Cherokee (Ray Noble), Bloomdido (Charlie Parker), Rhythm-A-Ning (Thelonious Monk). Improvisation required.

  Lyrics/ words optional. You are welcome to write your own lyrics if you wish.

Audition Requirements

Please select repertoire that you did not perform on your prescreen. You may perform with or without a microphone.

• One of the following standards, medium tempo: Sometimes I'm Happy, Taking a Chance on Love, East of the Sun, Get out of Town, I’ll Remember April, I Hear a Rhapsody, Invitation. Include one chorus of improvisation.
• One of the following ballads: Isn’t it a Pity, Stardust, April in Paris, I Should Care, I Got it Bad (And That Ain’t Good)
• One of the following songs, including one or two choruses of improvisation: Ornithology (Charlie Parker), Au Privave (Charlie Parker), Moose the Mooche (Charlie Parker), Cherokee (Ray Noble), Bloomdido (Charlie Parker), Rhythm-A-Ning (Thelonious Monk), Groovin High (Dizzy Gillespie). Medium/fast tempo.

Lyrics/ words optional. You are welcome to write your own lyrics if you wish.

• A selection of your choice

Graduate and diploma applicants

Master of Music (M.M.) in Jazz Studies, Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)

Prescreening Requirements

Submit a video recording, including:

• Two jazz songs of contrasting tempo and style:

• One medium-tempo song from the following composers: Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Rodgers/Hart or Irving Berlin. Medium/fast tempo. Improvisation optional.

  One of the following songs: Ornithology (Charlie Parker), Au Privave (Charlie Parker), Moose the Mooche (Charlie Parker), Cherokee (Ray Noble), Bloomdido (Charlie Parker), Rhythm-A-Ning (Thelonious Monk). Improvisation required.

  Lyrics/ words optional. You are welcome to write your own lyrics if you wish.

Audition Requirements

• Perform a minimum of six pieces of jazz repertoire (of your choice):
  • Blues, ballad, swing tune, bop tune, Latin tune (preferably in Portuguese), scat solo transcription
• Perform one additional tune of your choice, which could be an original composition.
• Your pieces should represent standard forms (AABA, etc.), as well as standard jazz compositions.
• You must play piano on one or more of your selections.
• You must demonstrate a minimum of one-and-one-half octave range including successful negotiation of the passaggio.
• If you have a "gig" book, please bring it to the audition, as well as a jazz repertoire list (which may be the index for your "gig" book). You may also include a classical repertoire list if you wish.

All D.M. Jazz applicants must submit a prescreening via the JSOM Supplemental application by December 1.

Select applicants will be invited to a live audition/interview based on prescreen review. If you are invited, you will be scheduled for one of the following audition dates and will receive your schedule by email 3-4 weeks prior to your audition:

• January 17-18, 2025
• February 7-8, 2025
• March 7-8, 2025

Auditions will be accompanied by a live rhythm section.

Doctor of Music (D.M.)

Prescreening Requirements

1. Cover Letter

Describe your professional goals, what skills or areas of expertise you hope to develop at Indiana University, as well as why you believe you are a good candidate for the degree.

2. CV

3. Writing Sample

Submit an example of your writing (i.e. paper written for a college class, published article, etc.) OR an essay between 1,000-1,500 words on any of the following topics:

1. How the history and lineage of jazz music inform present day musicians and educators.
2. How you work to promote diversity and inclusion in your field.
3. How you incorporate modern technology into your teaching, performing and/or composing.

4. Additional Materials

Please include any other materials that best demonstrate your areas of strength. This may include:

• Performance Recordings: submit up to three (3) contrasting recordings that best represent your playing. At least one of the recordings should be a jazz standard.
• Musical Scores: submit scores & recordings for up to three (3) contrasting compositions and/or arrangements for jazz ensemble of any size
• Teaching Videos: submit up to three (3) videos of yourself teaching a class, leading an ensemble, or teaching private students. Videos should be 20-30 minutes in total length.

If you are unable to attend one of the live audition weekends, you may submit a final audition recording via the JSOM Supplemental application. Final audition recordings are due by February 15.

Please indicate on your JSOM Supplemental application that you wish to audition via final video recording and make sure to submit the Supplemental application by December 1. You can upload your audition materials upon submission or upload your audition materials after your application has been submitted. To submit your audition materials after submission, simply select "Upload Media" under the Action column and click on "Add Media File."

Note: Programs that have pre-screening will require a media upload to submit your application. If your program requires this, please upload a PDF with your name and "Final Recorded Audition" to submit your application. You must then write to musicadm@iu.edu to request that your application be reopened. Once your application has been reopened, select "Upload Media" under the Action column and click on "Add Media File" to upload and submit your materials.

For applicants who cannot make one of the audition weekends but would like to audition in person, an ad hoc audition may be arranged upon department approval. Please email musicadm@iu.edu to request an ad hoc audition. If approved, you must reach out to the faculty or department chair directly to arrange a date and time. All required application materials must be submitted by the deadline in order for arrangements to be made.