Application and admission procedures - Griffith University

Jazz instruments
Applicants will be required to complete:
1. A performance audition based on three contrasting pieces. At least one of these should
demonstrate an ability to improvise over a common jazz form such as blues or a 32-bar
standard tune. Not all pieces will necessarily be heard in their entirety. Use of pre-recorded or
live accompaniment is acceptable. Audition repertoire can be contrasting in terms of tempo and
mood; style (swing, bossa nova, samba, ballad, funky); form (blues, 32-bars, other lengths);
and tonality (major, minor, blues).
Suggested Jazz repertoire:
Blues: Now's the Time, C-Jam Blues, Centrepiece, Sonny, Moon for Two.
Bossa nova: Black Orpheus, Blue Bossa, Gentle Rain, Recordame, Perdido, any
composition by Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Standards: Autumn Leaves, Summertime, Beautiful Love, God Bless the Child, Stormy
Weather, Misty, Take the ‘A’ Train, any standard by Porter, Gershwin, Berlin, Schwartz,
Rodgers, Ellington, Arlen, Kern, etcetera.
Jazz drummers may include a snare drum study as one of the pieces.
Saxophonists may include an etude (for example, Lennie Niehaus, Jim Snidero) as one of
the pieces.
Pianists may include a transcription (for example, Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans) as one of the
pieces.
Students may be asked to sight-read.
2. An interview in which applicants will be asked about their directions and goals, musical
experience, musical knowledge, general education and other relevant matters. Applicants may
present a resume of achievements and experience at the interview, if they wish. The playing
audition and interview will together last about 15–20 minutes.
3. A Diagnostic Test for Music Theory and Aural Skills to be conducted either online or at the
Conservatorium.
Jazz voice
Applicants will be required to complete:
1. A performance audition based on three contrasting pieces. Candidates need to show through
their repertoire selection an interest in improvising in a jazz style and may be asked to solo
over a blues form. Audition repertoire can be contrasting in terms of tempo and mood; style
(swing, bossa nova, samba, ballad, funky, popular, music theatre); form (blues, 32-bars, other
lengths); and tonality (major, minor, blues). At least two of the repertoire selections should be a
blues or jazz standard in the style of such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Diana
Krall, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett or Kurt Elling. A jazz standard is virtually any song by
Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Rodgers, Arlen, Schwartz and Ellington. Use of pre-recorded or live
accompaniment is acceptable.
2. An interview in which applicants will be asked about their directions and goals, musical
experience, musical knowledge, general education and other relevant matters. Applicants may
present a resume of achievements and experience at the interview, if they wish. The playing
audition and interview will together last about 15–20 minutes.
3. A Diagnostic Test for Music Theory and Aural Skills to be conducted either online or at the
Conservatorium.
Page 5 of 7