College auditions for jazz????

pizzicato16 · #1 03-14-2009, 05:44 PM

Right now I am studying at a community college here in Baltimore. I will be here for another year before I am ready to audition for a 4 year school. So basically I have an entire year to prepare an audition. I am 30 years old and have been playing about 20 years, so I have some chops. Now I am after the credentials.

I don't really know what a jazz audition for a college is like or what to prepare. With my teacher I am working on the Dittersdorf concerto to get my bow skills (French) back, could I play something like that?

Should I play a tune on electric bass? I can play "Amazing Grace" and "The Vision" by Wooten, "Portrait of Tracy", or Stu Hamm's "Flow My Tears (The Policeman Said)" to name a few. Since I have a whole year I feel as though I'd like to be as prepared as possible.

As far as jazz tunes, I could learn pretty much anything given the amount of time I have. I'm pretty sure that sightreading will be involved, which I am preparing for.

Also, I want to study out on the west coast somewhere, who's good out there? I play French bow, and want to recapture and improve those skills. One of my reasons for eventually seeking a Masters degree in Bass is because my life has been forever changed by hearing Renaud Garcia-Fons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXt6htVi3C4

I don't know if i'll ever be that good at improvising with a bow, but i'd sure like to try! I want to find a teacher on the west coast (or outside of MD) that can help me.

Thank you wise sages of the forum!

P16

txstatebass · #2 03-16-2009, 05:07 PM

Don't know about the west coast, but for arco jazz I would put in for Lynn Seaton at UNT! He's about as bad as they come! Most university jazz programs will list their audition criteria. Take a quick survey of their requirements and adjust your practice accordingly. Good luck!

Kevin Hsieh · #3 03-16-2009, 05:17 PM

Thornton School of Music (USC) - John Clayton

txstatebass · #4 03-16-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Hsieh

Thornton School of Music (USC) - John Clayton

Not anymore. One of the reasons I decided to stay in Texas.

ashtray9 · #5 04-04-2009, 07:53 AM

Best of luck to you. I auditioned for a state college and just found out I was not accepted. I have just recently been layed off, and I was really hoping to get in full-time and not worry about working. Now I am really starting to sweat, as I really want to make the push with music, but a full-time job will just keep me in the same boat I have been in these past few years. Community college looks like the best bet, but again I am really worried about finances and not being able to really shed while I go to school.

Any advice out there from players trying to get into school for music and still pay rent?

JavierBass · #6 04-04-2009, 10:07 AM

What do you mean not anymore? Is there something about USC?

kennypm · #7 04-04-2009, 12:29 PM

Charlie Haden teaches at CalArts. I hear it's a good program.

txstatebass · #8 04-04-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JavierBass

What do you mean not anymore? Is there something about USC?

When I went for my audition I was informed that Mr. Clayton would not be teaching there starting next fall. Edwin Livingston (who I highly respect) will be taking over while they search for a replacement. This is just what they told me.