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Admission Procedures For Jazz Degree Options

Jazz Degrees: Admission Procedures

Dates & Guidelines for Admission:
        B.M. in Jazz Studies
        Transfer Students
        M.M. in Jazz Studies
        DMA Supporting Area in Jazz Studies

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Auditions/Admission/GTFs/Scholarships

B.M. in Jazz Studies Admission

2010 Application Dates
January 15th - University of Oregon standard deadline for freshman admission and scholarship consideration.
January 15th - Deadline for submitting School of Music application for music major status audition (includes jazz studies applicants)
January 15th - Transfer student application deadline for scholarship consideration
*February 6th - School of Music undergraduate/transfer student auditions (on campus)
*An alternate audition date may be requested under unusual circumstances. To do so email: gmusadm@uoregon.edu

Materials received after posted deadlines may still be considered for admission purposes, but may be too late for scholarship consideration.

Application Procedures

1) Submit a completed University of Oregon Application by January 15th. For applications go to the main website of the University of Oregon and then to Admissions or by calling the Admissions Office directly at (541) 346-3201.  

2) Submit a completed School of Music Application by January 15th. Contact the UO School of Music Undergraduate Office (541) 346-1164 for application materials or email: gmusadm@uoregon.edu

3) Perform an On Campus Jazz Audition

2009-10 School of Music Audition Dates
Saturday, Febraury 6th, 2010

          a) Live Jazz Audition Format: Each candidate will perform a 10 to 15 minute audition.   Applicants           should prepare 3 or 4 pieces in varied styles (ballad, swing, straight 8th, etc.).   These pieces should be           performed by memory including the melody and two or more improvised choruses.   Sight-reading -           You will be asked to play written lines, interpret chord symbols, and improvise from chord changes on           sight from standard jazz repertoire.   Accompaniment will be provided.   Drummers should be           prepared to perform basic swing, latin, and rock feels; solo over standard song forms; and to           sight-read big band charts.  

          Optional: Composers/Arrangers may include 1 or 2 samples of your writing at this time.

                         Items to Bring to the Audition:
                                        1) Your Instrument
                                        2) 3 copies of lead sheets in concert key for songs that you wish to perform
                                        3) Drummers - Cymbals, Hi-Hats, Sticks, Brushes
                                        4) Guitarists & Bassists - bring your own cords

                         Items We Will supply:
                                        1) Amplifiers
                                        2) A drum set
                                        3) A piano
                                        4) A stereo system

          b) Live Classical Auditions: In addition to your jazz audition, a classical audition is required of all           undergraduate jazz applicants with the exception of guitarists (see audition guidelines for each specific           instrument on the School of Music website).   Classical auditions of jazz applicants will not be judged           in competition with those of prospective classical performance majors and do not effect admission           decisions for students pursuing a B.M. in Jazz Studies.

4) Audition by CD (Not available to percussionists): In the absence of a live audition, a CD may be submitted for admission and scholarship consideration. Students auditioning by CD may be admitted to the School of Music on a CONDITIONAL BASIS ONLY.  (Formal admission may be granted only after a live audition before both the jazz and classical faculty.  Auditions to remove conditional status are held the week before Fall term.)  CDs should be received by the last posted audition date (March 6th) for full scholarship consideration.

          a) Jazz Audition by CD: Applicants should prepare 3 or 4 pieces in varied styles (ballad, swing,           straight 8th, etc.).   These pieces should be performed by memory including the melody and two or           more improvised choruses.

          b) Classical Audition by CD: In addition to your jazz CD, a classical recording is required of all           undergraduate jazz applicants with the exception of guitarists (see audition guidelines for each specific           instrument on the School of Music website).


Audition Outcomes

1) Admission into the Jazz Studies Degree - Students who are admitted into the Jazz Studies degree should immediately enroll in freshman and sophomore level jazz courses as outlined in the B.M. in Jazz Studies Term Planner.   Following courses as outlined in the Term Planner will allow you to complete your degree in a timely fashion.   (Only 5 to 10 students are typically admitted as freshmen into the B.M. in Jazz Studies degree option each year.)

2) Admission INTO the School of Music, but NOT INTO the Jazz Studies Degree - Without being admitted into the B.M. in Jazz Studies, a successful classical audition will still admit you to the school as a Music Major.   If you plan to re-audition for the Jazz Studies degree at a later date, you should continue to enroll in freshman and sophomore level standard course work in jazz.   Following courses as outlined in the B.M. in Jazz Studies Term Planner will allow you to complete your degree in a timely fashion.  

3) Transfer Students admitted to the B.M. in Jazz Studies - You should plan to meet with a School of Music undergraduate advisor as well as a Jazz Studies advisor immediately upon notification of acceptance into the program.   A plan for completion of your degree will be outlined as a result of these advising sessions.

Transfer Students

Students who have completed their studies at a two-year school or who are transferring from another 4 year institution can enter the BM in Jazz Studies through the same audition process as outlined in the "BM in Jazz Studies Admission" portion of this document.    In order to enroll in junior level courses in Jazz Repertoire and Arranging, transfer students must successfully pass all elements of the U.O. Sophomore Performance Barrier exam.

M.M. in Jazz Studies/DMA Supporting Area in Jazz Admission

2010 Application Dates
January 1st - Deadline for submission of preliminary recordings and scores
January 15th - Deadline for submission of graduate application, all required School of Music materials and scholarship applications
*January 30th - School of Music graduate auditions (to be scheduled only after preliminary recording is submitted and approved)
*An alternate audition date may be requested under unusual circumstances. To do so email: gmusadm@uoregon.edu

Application Procedures

1) Submit a completed Graduate Admission Application and personal portfolio by January 15th. Contact the U.O. School of Music Graduate Office (541) 346-5664 or email: gmusadm@uoregon.edu for application materials and requirements.

2) All applicants must submit a preliminary audition tape/CD by January 1st.   (Cassettes and CDs only); 15 to 20 minutes; recordings must focus on the applicants and not supporting musicians; 3 or 4 pieces in varied styles (ballad, swing, straight 8th, etc.) that demonstrate improvisation skills.  

Composition/Arranging applicants should also submit complete scores (with accompanying tape or CD) of compositions and/or arrangements of two selections for jazz ensemble.   At least one of these pieces should be scored for a large ensemble (10 or more pieces).

3) Jazz faculty will review preliminary tapes and scores within two weeks of the date they are received.   (PLEASE NOTE: For you own personal travel considerations, it may be necessary to submit preliminary audition materials earlier than the January 1st deadline.)  

4) On Campus Jazz Audition for Selected Candidates: Based upon review of the preliminary tapes, select students will be invited to attend one of the School of Music audition days for a live audition before the jazz faculty.

2009-10 School of Music Audition Dates
Saturday, January 30th, 2010

          a) Live Jazz Audition Format: Each candidate will perform a 20 to 30 minute audition.  Applicants           should be prepared to perform 3 or 4 pieces in varied styles   (ballad, swing, straight 8th, etc.).  Pieces           should be performed by memory including the melody and two or more improvised choruses.             Sight- reading - You will be asked to play written lines, interpret chord symbols, and improvise from           chord changes on sight from standard jazz repertoire.   You will be accompanied by members of the           jazz faculty.  A preliminary assessment of your jazz theory (app. 1 ½ hours) and piano skills (15           min.) will take place on the day of the audition as well.

                        Items to Bring to the Audition:
                                        1) Your Instrument
                                        2) 3 copies of lead sheets in concert key for songs that you wish to perform
                                        3) Drummers - Cymbals, Hi-Hats, Sticks, Brushes
                                        4) Guitarists & Bassists - bring your own cords

                         Items We Will supply:
                                        1) Amplifiers
                                        2) A drum set
                                        3) A piano
                                        4) A stereo system

(NOTE:   In the absence of a live audition, students may be admitted to the M.M. degree on a CONDITIONAL BASIS ONLY.   Formal admission may be granted only after a live audition before the jazz faculty.   Auditions to remove conditional status are held the week before Fall term.)

Frequently Asked Questions Re: Auditions/Admission/GTFs/Scholarships

Undergraduate Applicants:
Q: When will I know if I have been admitted to the jazz major?
A: You should receive a notification letter within three weeks of your live audition if your file is complete.

Q: Can I be admitted to the School of Music without being admitted to the jazz studies major?
A: Yes, based on a successful classical audition. You can even enroll in preliminary courses required by the jazz studies major.

Q: If I am not admitted to the jazz major as an incoming freshman can I be admitted at a later date?
A: Yes. Approximately 1/4 of our undergraduate jazz studies majors are admitted after having attended the U.O. for one or two years. Auditions for the major are held at the beginning and end of each academic year.

Q: When will I know if I have received a scholarship?
A: Our first round of scholarships are typically mailed by the end of March, however, awards are also made later in the year to qualified Transfer students and incoming freshman. Scholarships can be offered only to those students whose files are complete.

Q: What do I need to bring to my audition?
A: Bring 3 copies of lead sheets in concert key for songs you wish to perform as well as your instrument(s). We'll supply amplifiers, a drumset, and a piano. A stereo system will also be available for you use. (Drummers should bring cymbals and sticks. Guitarists and bassists should bring cords.)

Graduate Applicants:
Q: What do I need to bring to the audition?
A: Bring 3 copies of lead sheets in concert key for songs you wish to perform as well as your instrument(s). We will supply amplifiers, a drumset, and a piano. A stereo system will also be available for you use. (Drummers should bring cymbals and sticks. Guitarists and bassists should bring cords.)

Q: When will I know if I have been admitted to the jazz major?
A: You should receive a notification letter within three weeks of your live audition if you have submitted all materials necessary to complete your admission file.

Q: When will I know if I have received a Graduate Teaching Fellowship (GTF)?
A: GTFs are typically awarded by the end of March, but can only be awarded to students whose admission files are complete.

Q: If I am not admitted to the graduate program in jazz studies at the time of my audition can I be admitted at a later date?
A: Yes. You can always audition at a later date for admission.