Jazz Studies
The Jazz program at WOU gives students the opportunity to learn and develop while studying all forms of jazz and commercial music. The program offers something for students at all experience levels. Student ensembles perform regularly on campus, and on tour across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Each year WOU students get the opportunity to work with internationally celebrated guest artists and clinicians. Recent guest artists and clinicians have included Adam Larson, John Raymond, Gerald Clayton, Alan Baylock, Gretta Matassa, and Scott Wendholt.
Bachelor of Music with a Concentration in Jazz Studies
The BM with a Concentration in Jazz Studies is designed to prepare the next generation of jazz professionals. Students interested in the Jazz Studies Concentration must pass an entrance audition. For new students this will also serve as a scholarship audition. Please see the Scholarship page for more information regarding music scholarships.
Jazz Audition Guidelines
Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone
1. Major Scale in All Keys
2. Classical Solo and/or Etude
3. Blues in Bb, Eb, or F (memorized)
Head 2x, improvise four choruses
Recommended Tunes
Blue Monk
Straight No Chaser
Tenor Madness
Sandu
Now’s The Time
Billie’s Bounce
4. Optional
Memorized Solo Transcription
Additional Scales and/or patterns and/or arpeggios
Jazz Standard, head +2 choruses of improvisation
Recommended Tunes
Autumn Leaves (in G minor)
Blue Bossa
There Will Never Be Another You
Lady Bird
Oleo
Jazz Piano Skills
Guitar
1. Major Scale in All Keys – Multiple positions
2. Pentatonic Scale in All Keys – Five positions
3. Root Position 7th chord arpeggios in all keys
Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dim7
4. Blues in G, Bb, F – Memorized 2 choruses melody, 1 chorus comping, 2 choruses solo
Recommended Tunes
Blue Monk
Straight No Chaser
Tenor Madness
Sandu
Now’s The Time
Billie’s Bounce
5. Optional
One chorus memorized jazz solo transcription
Jazz Standard – Melody, chords, chord melody, solo
Recommended Tunes
Autumn Leaves (in G minor)
Out of Nowhere
Blue Bossa
There Will Never Be Another You
Lady Bird
Oleo
Bossa Nova chordal accompaniment for Blue Bossa or other latin tune
Bass
1. Major Scale in All Keys in Lowest Position
Db, D and Eb for an octave and a third
Key of Ab, A, Bb, B, and C for and octave and a fifth
Key of E, F, F#, and G for two octaves
2. Major Triad Arpeggio in All Keys in Lowest Position in One Octave
3. One short classical solo or etude
4. Blues in Bb, Eb or F (memorized)
Head 2x, bass line 2 choruses, solo for one chorus
Recommended Tunes
Blue Monk
Straight No Chaser
Tenor Madness
Sandu
Now’s The Time
Billie’s Bounce
5. Optional
Memorized Solo Transcription
Additional Scales or Arpeggios
Jazz Standard, Head 1x, Bass line 1 chorus
Recommended Tunes
Autumn Leaves (in G minor)
Out of Nowhere
Blue Bossa
There Will Never Be Another You
Lady Bird
Oleo
Piano
1. Major Scale in All Keys
2. Major Arpeggio in All Keys
3. One Piece from J.S. Bach Two Part Invention
4. Blues in Bb, Eb, or F (memorized)
Head 2x, improvise three choruses, comp one chorus
Recommended Tunes
Blue Monk
Straight No Chaser
Tenor Madness
Sandu
Now’s The Time
Billie’s Bounce
5. Optional
Memorized Solo Transcription
Additional Scales or Arpeggios
Jazz standard, head +1 improvised chorus + 1 chorus of comping
Recommended Tunes
Autumn Leaves (in G minor)
Out of Nowhere
Blue Bossa
There Will Never Be Another You
Lady Bird
Oleo
Drum Set
1. Demonstrate different styles and time feels:
Swing, shuffle, jazz waltz, bossa, funk
2. Optional
Memorized Solo Transcription
Scales on Vibraphone
Memorized Solo Transcription on Vibraphone
Afro Cuban Drumming – Conga, Bongo, Timbale
Jazz Piano Skills
All prospective jazz students are encouraged to set up a private lesson with WOU Jazz Faculty prior to their audition.
For Program Information Contact:
Dr. Adam Harris | harrisa@wou.edu
