Undergraduate Jazz Instrument Audition Requirements

The deadlines for receipt of all audition materials, including recordings and a completed audition form, are:

     November 15, 2021 – for admission in Spring 2022
     November 15, 2021 – for Early Decision/Early Action for admission in Fall 2022
     March 2, 2022 – for Regular Decision for admission in Fall 2022

Prior to recording your audition, you MUST contact your performance area coordinator:

     Charlie Young, III
     Coordinator of Jazz Instrument Studies
     cyoung@howard.edu
     202-806-7872

Once you have recorded your audition and uploaded it to a private YouTube channel,

     • download a computer-fillable audition form and complete the appropriate sections;
     • open a new email, address it to your performance area coordinator, and attach the audition form;
     • place the link to your recorded audition materials in the body of the email; and
     • send the email to your performance area coordinator by the applicable audition deadline.

Undergraduate Jazz Instrument Audition Requirements

Jazz Studies undergraduate instrumental auditions should include a performance of the following:

     • All major & harmonic minor scales and arpeggios (slurred and articulated).

     • Performance of 3 contrasting jazz compositions (e.g., medium tempo, ballad, up-tempo, swing, bossa nova, samba, Afro-Cuban, etc.). The songs can be performed with the aid of backing tracks or play-along recordings (e.g., Aebersold or Learn Jazz Standards, etc.). You may also create your own accompaniment.

     • Drummers must use brushes on one selection.

An interview will follow the audition—either immediately after a live audition, or by Zoom or telephone call at a future scheduled time for a recorded audition.