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Please note: Jazz studies require a pre-screen audition video from all incoming applicants. You will upload your video directly onto our ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢ Music audition platform that will be emailed to you after you complete your CSU application. Do not start your music audition without your ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢ ID#. Allow time to complete your CSU application and be emailed the link.

GRADUATE STUDENTS do have an extended deadline, however, you are strongly encouraged to submit materials by the regular deadline.

• Spring 2026 admission: PRESCREEN is due by 11:59 PM (PST) Sunday SEP 21st.
• Fall 2026 admission: PRESCREEN is due by 11:59 PM (PST) Friday JAN 9th.

Results of the pre-screen round will be messaged via Acceptd to students by January 31. At that time, those who passed the pre-screen round will be able to schedule their on-campus audition on our Audition Days.

• Spring 2026 admission: FINAL ROUND AUDITION: Saturday OCT 25th, 2025
• Fall 2026 admission: FINAL ROUND AUDITIONS: Saturdays FEB 7, 21 or 28th, 2026

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SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS (to upload with your Music Application)

• Resume - (school experience, private teachers, ensemble experience, repertoire/tune list, relevant work experience, awards, etc.)
• Artistic statement – What is your musical background and influence? What are your goals as a musician and why is ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢ the right place for you to work toward them?
• Two letters of recommendation

PRE-SCREENING REQUIREMENTS

Saxophone

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed. Demonstrate a minimum of one doubling instrument on a selection of your choice.

• a: Bebop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: melody once, solo for two choruses.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

Trumpet

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Play the melody once and solo for three choruses. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: option to play on flugel horn. melody once, solo for two choruses.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, ReflectionsÌý
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.
• e: Demonstrate range and technical skill via one of the following etudes. (to be linked)

Trombone

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: melody once, solo for two choruses.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

Other winds and/or strings (not bass)

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: melody once, solo for two choruses.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

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Piano

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once, comp for one chorus, solo for two choruses.Ìý
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once, solo for two choruses, comp for one chorus.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: play unaccompanied for at least the melody and one chorus of soloing.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

Guitar

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once, comp for one chorus, solo for two choruses.Ìý
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once, solo for two choruses, comp for one chorus.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: play unaccompanied for at least the melody and one chorus of soloing.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

Vibes

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once, comp for one chorus, solo for two choruses.Ìý
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once, solo for two choruses, comp for one chorus.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: play unaccompanied for at least the melody and one chorus of soloing.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

Bass

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once, solo for two choruses, walk for one chorus.
  • ÌýCheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: support melody one time through, walk for one chorus, solo for two choruses.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: play melody once arco, walk for one chorus, solo for one chorus.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.
• e: a Paul Chambers transcription of your choice. Minimum 32 measures, and do not exceed 5 minutes.

Drums

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Play behind the melody once, behind a soloist for a chorus, and solo for two choruses (you can play over the form alone or trade). Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed. Demonstrate brushes on at least one selection.

• a: Bebop:
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop:
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Latin jazz:
  • Con Alma, Spain, Armando’s Rhumba, Recordame, A Night in Tunisia
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.
• e: Advanced Snare Drum Etude (concert or rudimental) of your choice.

Voice

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: Sing the melody a cappella once, solo for two choruses (your choice if supported by rhythm section).
  • Au Privave, Cheryl, Confirmation, Donna Lee
• b: Standard: Sing the melody once, solo for two choruses.
  • ÌýJust Squeeze Me, Lullaby of Birdland, I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, On Green Dolphin Street
• c: Ballad: Sing melody once, solo for one and a half choruses, take the bridge out.
  • Chelsea Bridge, Prelude to a Kiss, Midnight Sun, You Don’t Know What Love Is
• d. Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

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