Doctor Of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) Audition Requirements

Major Instrument/Voice Required for All Programs

The Doctor of Musical Arts program is designed for the training of professional musicians, scholars, and music educators. Performance program students at the College are required to take private instruction on a major instrument/voice with an artist faculty member.

  • Live auditions are required.
  • You are required to bring sheet music to your audition. You may bring your own accompanist or a CD or Audio Cassette.

Instrumental

Scales: Major, minor (natural, harmonic, melodic), and chromatic scales, two octaves, with various articulations.

Chords: Major, minor triads, dominant seventh, and major and minor seventh chords (guitar, keyboard, mallet percussion).

Technique: Technical study or crude from any standard method book that will demonstrate level of technique and potential for advancement.

Repertoire: Two selections in contrasting styles are required, which will demonstrate technical ability, tone quality, musicality, and sense of style. One selection must be a solo from the standard jazz repertory. The other selection may be taken from the classical repertory.

Percussion applicants will be expected to play and take solo choruses on two selections in contrasting styles. Snare drum rudiments and various drum set rhythms using brushes as well as sticks should be demonstrated.

Bass applicants may audition on electric or acoustic bass and should be prepared to play idiomatic bass lines in various jazz styles, including a blues, a standard, a Latin (bossa), and a modal-style tune. The College will provide guitar and bass amps, drum set, and vibraphone. Drummers should bring their own cymbals and foot pedals.

Vocal

Applicants will be expected to sing two selections in contrasting styles. Recommended styles for audition include Art Song or Aria, and Jazz Standard. Additional vocalization may be required to assess the extent of your full voiced pitch range.

PIANO AND VOICE REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCTORAL STUDY REQUIRED FOR APPLICANTS TO ALL PROGRAMS

Graduate Piano Proficiency Exam

  1. Play My Foolish Heart in Bb from any source in a Jazz style with an introduction.
  2. Demonstrate ability to sight-read and harmonize melodies without chord symbols (music supplied by examiners).

RECOMMENDED SELECTIONS FOR DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS AUDITIONS

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Recommended for Piano

  1. Stablemates – B. Golson
  2. Milestones – C. Parker
  3. Daahoud – C. Brown
  4. Tricotism – O. Pettiford
  5. B section of Cherokee – R. Noble
  6. Tones for Joan’s Bones – C. Corea
  7. ‘Round Midnight – T. Monk

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Recommended for Woodwinds

  1. Donna Lee – C.Parker
  2. All the Things You Are – J. Kem
  3. Giant Steps – J.Coltrane
  4. Tune Up – S.Rollins
  5. Meditation – A.C. Jobim
  6. Body and Soul -J.Green
  7. But Beautiful – J.Van Huesen

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Recommended for Guitar

  1. Autumn Leaves – J.Mercer
  2. All the Things You Are – J. Kem
  3. Satin Doll – D.Ellington
  4. Out of Nowhere – J.Green
  5. I’m in the Mood for Love – J. McHugh
  6. Body and Soul – J.Green
  7. But Beautiful – J.Van Huesen

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Recommended for Brass

Any of the above selections as well as:

  1. Struttin’ with Some Bar-B-Que – Lil Hardin (the Armstrong solo)
  2. Be Bop – Dizzy Gillespie (his solo)
  3. I Remember Clifford – B.Golson