Creative Practice: Jazz Audition Guidelines
Prepare for your in-person jazz audition by following these guidelines.
If you are applying for a Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Music conjoint degree (specialising in Creative Practice: Jazz), read on to know how to prepare for your person audition.
Before the in-person audition
- First you must complete your Application for Admission.
- Once you have completed your Application for Admission, our team will then get in touch with you to book you in for an audition slot.
What are we listening for at the audition?
- Sound and intonation
- Rhythm and phrasing
- Spontaneity and adaptability
- You must be committed as a performer, with a sense of musicality that can take the listener beyond the notes.
What do I have to do at the audition?
Creative Practice: Jazz audition requirements differ for each instrument. Please refer to your instrument guidelines below.
Instruments:
- Bass: Bass Guitar | Double Bass
- Brass: Trombone | Trumpet
- Drum set
- Guitar
- Piano
- Voice
- Woodwinds: Clarinet | Flute | Saxophone
- Other: If the instrument you wish to audition with is not listed here please contact studentinfo@auckland.ac.nz
Bass: Bass Guitar | Double Bass
Accompaniment
You will be accompanied by the audition panel, comprised of teachers from the School of Music Creative Practice: Jazz programme.
3 tunes
Prepare 3 tunes to perform at your audition including:
- 1 medium-tempo jazz standard. E.g. All the Things You Are, Out of Nowhere, Have You Met Miss Jones? or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz ballad. E.g. Body and Soul, In a Sentimental Mood, ‘Round Midnight or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz blues. E.g. Straight No Chaser, Blues Walk, Tenor Madness, All Blues or a similar selection.
Hint: Choose tunes which demonstrate your proficiency and overall musicianship; that highlight what you feel represents your best playing. Speak with your music teacher/mentor for advice on repertoire selection.
Performance
Your performance should demonstrate your ability to play within a group and as a soloist. You should demonstrate the ability to count the band in, play the heads, construct a walking bass line and improvise over the tune. Sound and intonation will be assessed and you should be prepared for some sight reading and basic ear tests.
Discussion
There may be an opportunity for you to share with the audition panel your musical goals, aspirations and what has led you to apply for the BMus programme.
What to bring on the day
- Bring your bass, lead and a tuner.
- Bring 3 lead sheets of each of your prepared tunes for the audition panel.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your audition, a warm-up room will be available for you.
Brass: Trombone | Trumpet
Accompaniment
You will be accompanied by the audition panel, comprised of teachers from the School of Music Creative Practice: Jazz programme.
3 tunes
Prepare 3 tunes to perform at your audition including:
- 1 medium-tempo jazz standard. E.g. All the Things You Are, Out of Nowhere, Have You Met Miss Jones? or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz ballad. E.g. Body and Soul, In a Sentimental Mood, ‘Round Midnight or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz blues. E.g. Straight No Chaser, Blues Walk, Tenor Madness, All Blues or a similar selection.
Hint: Choose tunes which demonstrate your proficiency and overall musicianship; that highlight what you feel represents your best playing. Speak with your music teacher/mentor for advice on repertoire selection.
Performance
Your performance should demonstrate your ability to play within a group and as a soloist. You should demonstrate your ability to count the band in, play the heads and improvise over the tune. Sound and intonation will be assessed and you should be prepared for some sight reading and basic ear tests.
Discussion
There may be an opportunity for you to share with the audition panel your musical goals, aspirations and what has led you to apply for the BMus programme.
What to bring on the day
- Bring your instrument.
- Bring 3 lead sheets of each of your prepared tunes for the audition panel.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your audition, a warm-up room will be available for you.
Drum set
Accompaniment
You will be accompanied by the audition panel, comprised of teachers from the School of Music Creative Practice: Jazz programme.
3 tunes
Prepare 3 tunes of various styles to perform at your audition including:
- 1 medium-tempo jazz standard (swing). E.g. All the Things You Are, Out of Nowhere, Have You Met Miss Jones? or a similar selection.
- 1 Latin jazz. E.g. St Thomas, Blue Bossa, Caravan or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz funk / fusion. E.g. The Chicken, Cantaloupe Island, Sunny or a similar selection.
Hint: Choose tunes which demonstrate your proficiency and overall musicianship; that highlight what you feel represents your best playing. Speak with your music teacher/mentor for advice on repertoire selection.
Performance
Your performance should demonstrate your ability to play within a group and as a soloist. You should demonstrate the ability to play styles such as swing, Latin and funk, showing you can outline rhythmic structure or melody of the song. You will also need to demonstrate trades and soloing over the form or structure of a tune. Sound and intonation will be assessed and you should be prepared for some sight reading and basic ear tests.
Discussion
There may be an opportunity for you to share with the audition panel your musical goals, aspirations and what has led you to apply for the BMus programme.
What to bring on the day
- Bring your cymbals, hi-hat clutch, sticks and brushes.
- Bring 3 lead sheets of each of your prepared tunes for the audition panel.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your audition, a warm-up room will be available for you.
Guitar
Accompaniment
You will be accompanied by the audition panel, comprised of teachers from the School of Music Creative Practice: Jazz programme.
3 tunes
Prepare 3 tunes to perform at your audition including:
- 1 medium-tempo jazz standard. E.g. All the Things You Are, Out of Nowhere, Have You Met Miss Jones? or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz ballad. E.g. Body and Soul, In a Sentimental Mood, ‘Round Midnight or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz blues. E.g. Straight No Chaser, Blues Walk, Tenor Madness, All Blues or a similar selection.
Hint: Choose tunes which demonstrate your proficiency and overall musicianship; that highlight what you feel represents your best playing. Speak with your music teacher/mentor for advice on repertoire selection.
Performance
Your performance should demonstrate your ability to play within a group and as a soloist. You should demonstrate the ability to count the band in, play the heads, accompany other players and improvise over the tune. Sound and intonation will be assessed and you should be prepared for some sight reading and basic ear tests.
Discussion
There may be an opportunity for you to share with the audition panel your musical goals, aspirations and what has led you to apply for the BMus programme.
What to bring on the day
- Bring your guitar, lead and a tuner.
- Bring 3 lead sheets of each of your prepared tunes for the audition panel.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your audition, a warm-up room will be available for you.
Piano
Accompaniment
You will be accompanied by the audition panel, comprised of teachers from the School of Music Creative Practice: Jazz programme.
3 tunes
Prepare 3 tunes to perform at your audition including:
- 1 medium-tempo jazz standard. E.g. All the Things You Are, Out of Nowhere, Have You Met Miss Jones? or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz ballad. E.g. Body and Soul, In a Sentimental Mood, ‘Round Midnight or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz blues. E.g. Straight No Chaser, Blues Walk, Tenor Madness, All Blues or a similar selection.
Hint: Choose tunes which demonstrate your proficiency and overall musicianship; that highlight what you feel represents your best playing. Speak with your music teacher/mentor for advice on repertoire selection.
Performance
Your performance should demonstrate your ability to play within a group and as a soloist. You should demonstrate the ability to count the band in, play the heads, accompany other players and improvise over the tune. Sound and intonation will be assessed and you should be prepared for some sight reading and basic ear tests.
Discussion
There may be an opportunity for you to share with the audition panel your musical goals, aspirations and what has led you to apply for the BMus programme.
What to bring on the day
- Bring 3 lead sheets of each of your prepared tunes for the audition panel.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your audition, a warm-up room will be available for you.
Voice
Accompaniment
You will be accompanied by the audition panel, comprised of teachers from the School of Music Creative Practice: Jazz programme.
3 songs
Prepare 3 songs to perform at your audition including:
- 1 medium-tempo jazz standard. E.g. Just Friends, Night and Day, Honeysuckle Rose or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz ballad. E.g. Body and Soul, My Funny Valentine, You Don’t Know What Love Is or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz blues. E.g. Billie’s Bounce, All Blues, Fine and Mellow or a similar selection.
Hint: Choose songs which demonstrate your proficiency and overall musicianship; that highlight what you feel represents your best singing. Speak with your music teacher/mentor for advice on repertoire selection.
Performance
Your performance should demonstrate your ability to count the band in, and interpret the melody and lyric. You should also demonstrate either a scat improvisation over one of your songs, or perform a vocalese (applied lyric to a pre-existing improvisation e.g. Moody’s Mood for Love, Joy Spring, Twisted). Sound and intonation will be assessed and you should be prepared for some sight reading and basic ear tests.
Discussion
There will be an opportunity for you to share with the audition panel your musical goals, aspirations and what has led you to apply for the BMus programme.
What to bring on the day
- Bring 3 lead sheets of each of your prepared tunes in your preferred key for the audition panel.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your audition, a warm-up room will be available for you.
Woodwinds: Clarinet | Flute | Saxophone
Accompaniment
You will be accompanied by the audition panel, comprised of teachers from the School of Music Creative Practice: Jazz programme.
3 tunes
Prepare 3 tunes to perform at your audition including:
- 1 medium-tempo jazz standard. E.g. All the Things You Are, Out of Nowhere, Have You Met Miss Jones? or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz ballad. E.g. Body and Soul, In a Sentimental Mood, I Can’t Get Started or a similar selection.
- 1 jazz blues. E.g. Straight No Chaser, Blues Walk, Tenor Madness, All Blues or a similar selection.
Hint: Choose tunes which demonstrate your proficiency and overall musicianship; that highlight what you feel represents your best playing. Speak with your music teacher/mentor for advice on repertoire selection.
Performance
Your performance should demonstrate your ability to play within a group and as a soloist. You should demonstrate the ability to play the heads, count the band in and improvise over the tune. Sound and intonation will be assessed and you should be prepared for some sight reading and basic ear tests.
Discussion
There may be an opportunity for you to share with the audition panel your musical goals, aspirations and what has led you to apply for the BMus programme.
What to bring on the day
- Bring your instrument.
- Bring 3 lead sheets of each of your prepared tunes for the audition panel.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your audition, a warm-up room will be available for you.
Help and advice
If you have questions about the Creative Practice: Jazz auditions, please contact the Student Hubs.
Email: studentinfo@auckland.ac.nz