Jazz Auditions
Application deadline: Monday 2 October 2023.
Those applying for an overseas audition, should refer to the Music Auditions Overseas webpage for information about application deadlines.
Jazz Auditions (in person, London)
We encourage candidates to attend a live audition where possible, as this offers you the opportunity to engage in live music-making with our house band, to meet key departmental staff, and to experience our vibrant school environment.
The Audition Process
- Candidates should arrive around 35 minutes before their audition time. They will have 20-25 minutes of solo warm-up time.
- We will provide a band to accompany you (piano, bass & drums – or the remaining two, if you are a pianist, bassist or drummer). The band will not be present during your warm-up.
- Amps, a vocal mic and a 4-piece drumkit with cymbals will be provided. Drummers should bring sticks and brushes, and cymbals if they would like to (but we will have cymbals available for use if preferred).
- We may not cover all of the below elements in your audition. The panel hope to gain an understanding of your musical personality in all its forms, including collaboration and interaction with the band, as well as personal style and technical expertise.
Jazz Auditions
IMPORTANT NOTE: you will have 20-25 minutes of solo warm-up time before your audition (without the house band). At the start of the audition, you will be expected to direct the band and provide them with lead sheets in concert pitch. The panel are looking for your capacity to communicate and collaborate within an ensemble context, and to observe how you interact with the other musicians to lead a session; the panel do not expect a polished ensemble performance, but hope to observe the collaborative process.
Perform two jazz standards*, one as a medium or medium/up swing and the other in a contrasting tempo/feel.
- You should bring concert pitch lead sheets** for both pieces (4 copies, for the band and audition panel). This is especially important if you are presenting lesser-known tunes.
- Both should involve improvisation.
- We would be interested in hearing rhythm section candidates comping as well as soloing.
- We encourage you to perform from memory if possible.
* “Jazz standard” is a collective term which refers to a wide range of repertoire, including ‘Great American Songbook’ (e.g. “There Will Never Be Another You” – Harry Warren), compositions by jazz musicians (e.g. “In Walked Bud” – Thelonius Monk, “Lawns” – Carla Bley), Bossa Novas (e.g. “Wave” – Antonio Carlos Jobim) and blues heads (e.g. “Now’s The Time” – Charlie Parker, “Blues for Herb” – Emily Remler).
** Examples of “lead sheets” can be found in publications such as the various volumes of “The New Real Book” (Sher Music). Heavily notated arrangements are discouraged, as we are primarily interested in hearing improvisation and ensemble interaction.
Performance of an excerpt (minimum 32 bars) of a solo you have transcribed.
- Vocalists and pitched instrumentalists should perform this along with the original recording – please bring this on a device such as a smart phone, tablet or laptop. We will have audio connectors for 3.5mm jack, Lightning and USB-C.
- Drummers should perform their transcription unaccompanied
- We encourage you to perform from memory if possible.
Submit one of the following:
- A score or lead sheet of a piece you have composed, together with some notes about it maybe describing the harmony, how you developed your melodic/rhythmic ideas etc.)
- Notation of your transcription (see 2 above) together with a short analysis of it.
Hand-written music or computer notation are both acceptable.
Please submit these as PDFs at least one week before your audition to jazz@gsmd.ac.uk, quoting your application reference number.
If you are making a late application, please submit your work to jazz@gsmd.ac.uk by the date given to you when you made your enquiry.
- We would like to talk about your musical experiences, ambitions and what you would like to get out of the course. If you play a second instrument, we would like to know about it.
- You may also be asked to sightread and/or demonstrate aural ability.
Jazz auditions (in person, Overseas Venues)
Please see the Overseas Auditions page for information about our overseas audition venues and dates.
- The audition requirements remain the same as above.
- Please note: if you are auditioning at an overseas venue, please supply your own accompanist(s)/band. You can perform to a backing track if necessary (please bring your own playback equipment).
- If you have any questions about overseas auditions, please email music.applications@gsmd.ac.uk
Jazz auditions (recorded)
If you are based overseas and elect to submit a recorded audition, the deadline to upload your audition video(s) is Friday 27 October 2023. Details about how to upload your recording(s) will follow after the application deadline.
You should upload two short videos of yourself performing your chosen repertoire (no more than four minutes each). These should both be jazz standards*, one as a medium or medium up swing, and the other with a contrasting tempo/feel.
Excerpts from a live gig would be ideal, but if this is not possible then you could record in a studio, at home with accompanist(s) or use a backing track.
- Both should involve improvisation;
- Rhythm section players should include comping as well as soloing.
- We encourage you to perform from memory if possible.
* “Jazz standard” is a collective term which refers to a wide range of repertoire, including ‘Great American Songbook’ (e.g. “There Will Never Be Another You” – Harry Warren), compositions by jazz musicians (e.g. “In Walked Bud” – Thelonius Monk, “Lawns” – Carla Bley), Bossa Novas (e.g. “Wave” – Antonio Carlos Jobim) and blues heads (e.g. “Now’s The Time” – Charlie Parker, “Blues for Herb” – Emily Remler).
Upload a video of yourself performing an excerpt (minimum 32 bars) of a solo you have transcribed.
- Vocalists and pitched instrumentalists should perform this along with the original recording.
- Drummers should perform their transcription unaccompanied
- We encourage you to perform from memory if possible.
Submit one of the following:
- A score or lead sheet of a piece you have composed, together with some notes about it maybe describing the harmony, how you developed your melodic/rhythmic ideas etc.)
- Notation of your transcription (see 2 above) together with a short analysis of it.
Hand-written music or computer notation are both acceptable.
Please submit these as PDFs by no later than 30 November to jazz@gsmd.ac.uk, quoting your application reference number.
If you are making a late application, please submit your work to jazz@gsmd.ac.uk by the date given to you when you made your enquiry.
In some cases, following your recorded audition, it may be necessary for the panel to call you in for a live audition or ask to meet virtually via Zoom to gain a better understanding about your musical abilities and aspirations.
Audition Requirements: Jazz Composition and Arranging (in person and recorded auditions)
If you are applying as a principal study composer/arranger (as opposed to an instrumentalist/vocalist) you should submit a portfolio of three contrasting works. These should all contain passages for improvisation and be scored for ensembles which include a rhythm section.
Recordings (MP3) and scores (PDF) are required; computer demos are acceptable if a live recording is not possible.
If you are attending in person your audition will include a short discussion with the panel about you and about music.
For live auditions, please send the MP3s and PDFs to jazz@gsmd.ac.uk, quoting your application reference number, at least one week prior to your interview.
For recorded auditions please submit your materials in the 'Supporting Information' section of the online application form (see noted below). Please include a page or two describing the pieces you have submitted and some information about yourself. We are particularly interested to know what instruments you play.
- Scores must be provided in PDF format (software files such as Logic/Sibelius/Finale files are not accepted by the system)
- The PDF score should also include a link to a recording or an audio export of a midi file This can be uploaded to any freely available streaming platform (e.g. YouTube, Soundcloud). The system cannot accept mp3/mp4 files.