Jazz Auditions

At the start of the audition, you will be expected to provide lead sheets in concert pitch and instruct the band. The panel are looking for your capacity to communicate and operate in 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 (four 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 cannot guarantee you will be able to access streaming services such as Spotify, Youtube etc., so please ensure you have the sound file downloaded to your device. 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. These notes should describe features of your composition (such as the harmony, or 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 bring hard copies of your notation and commentary to the audition and provide them to the panel.

If you are making a late application, please note that all auditions will be considered by recording. You must submit your notation work to jazz@gsmd.ac.uk at the same time as your recorded audition materials.

• 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.

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.

You could record in a studio, at home with accompanist(s)/live band, use a backing track or select excerpts from a live gig. The recorded sound quality is not of primary importance – a phone recording is perfectly adequate, as long as we can clearly hear what you are playing.

• 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. These notes should describe features of your composition (such as the harmony, or 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 in PDF format no later than 1 December to jazz@gsmd.ac.uk, quoting your application reference number and full name. 

If you are making a late application, you must submit your notation work to jazz@gsmd.ac.uk at the same time as your recorded audition materials.

Following your recorded audition, we may ask to meet with you virtually (via video conferencing) for a follow-up interview. 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.

Live jazz auditions take place in December, and panels will make final admissions decisions for recorded and live auditions concurrently. Therefore, you can expect to hear from us about the outcome of your audition by 19 December in most cases. 

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. 

Please send the MP3s and score PDFs to jazz@gsmd.ac.uk, quoting your application reference number, by Monday 24 November 2025. 

Please also bring either printed copies of your scores, or digital versions which you can present on a laptop/tablet device to aid discussion (if attending a live interview).

Recordings (MP3) of the works presented in your portfolio are required; computer demos are acceptable if a live recording is not possible. Please have your recordings downloaded to your device. We will have audio connectors for 3.5mm jack, Lightning and USB-C. 

You will be invited to interview in London in December, during which you may discuss your folio, compositional processes, musical experience to date, wider listening, and your aspirations for the course. If you cannot attend a live interview, we will arrange a remote meeting.

The interview process is designed to assess your suitability for the course, including your current level of jazz literacy and language. If you play an instrument, we ask that you bring it along to your interview - the panel may ask you to engage in some informal tasks with your instrument or voice. A piano, vocal mic and drum kit will be available, but drummers should bring their own sticks (and cymbals if they prefer). 

Please send the MP3s and score PDFs to jazz@gsmd.ac.uk, quoting your application reference number, by Monday 24 November 2025. 

Please also bring either printed copies of your scores, or digital versions which you can present on a laptop/tablet device to aid discussion (if attending live interview).