Fall intake auditions will be scheduled for February. Late auditions will take place in May. Application for Jazz Studies is part of the standard Capilano University application process. Auditions are required for all applicants. All applicants will be contacted by email.
Once an application has been received, the School of Performing Arts office will contact applicants by email with details of the audition process and to schedule their Theory Exam.
When filling out the application form, please include which instrument(s) you will be auditioning on in the comments section of the form.
Students applying as transfer students should include their previous music institution in the comments section of the application form.
Entrance into the Jazz Studies program is competitive as seats are restricted. Applicants are ranked in comparison with others who audition on the same concentration instrument, taking into consideration their entrance year. Provided that all other entrance requirements have been met, students will be admitted in the order of their ranking until the seats available for that instrument have been filled.
Separate auditions are held for the Jazz Choirs and Jazz Ensembles.
Acceptance into the program does not guarantee acceptance into these ensembles. Students will be contacted in August with instructions to sign up for Ensembles.
Theory test
All applicants are required to demonstrate knowledge of rudimentary music theory before gaining acceptance into the Jazz Studies Program. Each applicant will be sent a request to attend an in-person Theory Test on campus near the time of their audition.
Performance audition
Applicants will submit Audition Videos. A small panel of Jazz Studies faculty members will assess each submission. Each applicant will be sent instructions outlining the requested audition material. Applicants who demonstrate an acceptable level of musicianship and ability will be ranked competitively. A set number of first-year seats is available each year.
Transfer students
Transfer students take the same theory test and performance audition and prepare the same requirements as first-year applicants. Auditioning faculty will be informed of each student’s previous post-secondary training and may ask applicants to demonstrate more advanced technical skills.
Distance Theory Test
If you will be submitting your theory exam virtually, it must be completed in real-time under the supervision of a suitable exam proctor. A school teacher or other music education professional may perform this role. An exam will be sent to the proctor, and the student will complete the exam under the proctor's supervision. The proctor then sends the completed exam to the Jazz Department. Applicants are responsible for any and all costs incurred in this regard. We must receive this information before we can accept the audition video submission.
Please note the following important points:
- If a student misses any portion of the audition process, we may choose not to reschedule.
- Applicants are responsible for arranging their own technical requirements to facilitate their part of the audition.
Video Setting Instructions
- Recording of tunes should be completed in one uninterrupted take for each piece performed.
- You may use any video format that allows us to clearly hear and see your performance. Typically, applicants use YouTube to post their performance online.
- Set video privacy settings to “Unlisted” and send the direct link. This way, we will not require special permission to view it, and it will also not be publicly available.
The audition panel must be able to clearly see and hear the applicant.
Tunes:
Perform with your own single accompanist or your own background recordings. Be prepared to play a jazz standard in a medium swing tempo, a second jazz standard in a contrasting feel (i.e., latin, waltz, ballad), and a 12-bar blues. All three tunes should include at least one chorus of an improvised solo. An acoustic piano, stereo system and music stand will be provided.
Technical:
- Perform a short classical etude or technical study of your choosing.
- Perform major, harmonic minor and traditional melodic minor scales, in 12 keys, ascending and descending, two octaves where possible.
- Perform arpeggios of major and minor triads and 7th chords (dom7, Maj7, min 7, min7b5, dim7) in 12 keys, ascending and descending, two octaves where possible.
- Sight-read in both classical and jazz styles.
- Sing pitches, clap rhythmic patterns and identify triad types played by the jury.
Drum Set:
- Demonstrate swing, Latin, funk, and rock styles.
- Trade 4’s (play four bars of a tune, then four bars of a drum solo, repeat).
Snare Drum:
- Perform a long roll, flam, ruff/drag, and paradiddle.
- Perform a prepared solo which includes the above rudiments.
- Sight-read patterns provided by the jury.
Tunes:
Perform using either two or four mallets, with your own bassist or your own background recordings. Be prepared to play a jazz standard in a medium swing tempo, a second jazz standard in a contrasting feel (i.e., latin, waltz, ballad), and a 12-bar blues. All three tunes must include the melody, one chorus of comping, and at least one chorus of an improvised solo. A vibraphone, stereo system and music stand will be provided.
Technical:
- Perform a short classical piece of your choosing (with four mallets if possible).
- Perform major, harmonic minor and traditional melodic minor scales in 12 keys, ascending and descending, two octaves.
- Perform arpeggios of Maj7, min7, dom7, dim7, and min7b5 chords, in 12 keys, ascending and descending, two octaves.
- Sight read a melody and chordal accompaniment (separately) with a provided lead sheet.
- Sing pitches, clap rhythmic patterns and identify triad types played by the jury.
Tunes:
Perform with your own bassist or your own background recordings. Be prepared to play a jazz standard in a medium swing tempo, a second jazz standard in a contrasting feel (i.e., latin, waltz, ballad), and a 12-bar blues. All three tunes should include at least one chorus of an improvised solo. An acoustic piano, stereo system and music stand will be provided.
Technical:
- Perform a short classical piece of your choosing.
- Perform major, harmonic minor and traditional melodic minor scales in 12 keys, ascending and descending, two octaves, hands together.
- Perform arpeggios of major and minor triads and dominant 7th chords, in 12 keys, ascending and descending, two octaves, hands together.
- Play Maj7, min7, Dom7, dim7, and min7b5 chords in 12 keys, both hands, solid inversions.
- Sight-read in both classical and jazz styles.
- Sing pitches, clap rhythmic patterns and identify triad types played by the jury.
Tunes:
Perform with your own single accompanist or with your own background recordings. Be prepared to sing a jazz standard in a medium swing tempo, a second jazz standard in a contrasting feel (i.e., latin, waltz, ballad), and a 12-bar blues. Include an improvised scat solo on at least one of your songs. An acoustic piano, stereo system and music stand will be provided.
Technical:
- Perform the three scales provided, singing numbers.
- Perform the two jazz etudes provided, using scat syllables
- Sight sing a simple melody.
- Sing pitches, clap rhythmic patterns and identify triad types played by the jury.
Download the Vocal Audition Package (pdf).
Repertoire:
Be prepared to play a jazz standard in medium swing tempo, a second standard in contrasting feel (i.e., Latin, ballad, waltz) and a 12-bar blues. Your performance of each selection will include the melody and at least one chorus of improvised solo playing. A faculty member will accompany the student for the jazz selections. The applicant should bring clear and legible sheet music for these pieces in order to facilitate this accompaniment. In addition, be prepared to perform a short classical etude of your choosing.
Technical:
- Perform major, melodic minor, and harmonic minor scales in 12 keys, two octaves, eighth notes at 100 bpm.
- Perform arpeggios of major and minor triads and 7th chords (dom7, maj7, min 7, min7b5, dim 7), two octaves in 12 keys.
- You will be asked to sight-read in jazz and classical styles.
Tunes:
Perform with the faculty guitarist provided. (You may elect to bring your own single accompanist, or your own background recordings though it is not necessary.) Be prepared to play a jazz standard in a medium swing tempo, a second jazz standard in a contrasting feel (Latin, waltz, ballad, etc.), and a 12‑bar blues. For all three tunes, be prepared to play the melody, chordal accompaniment, and an improvised solo. An amplifier, stereo system and music stand will be provided.
Technical:
- Perform a G Major scale in five locations, covering the entire range of guitar (see attached guide), as well as one-octave scales in C Major, F Major, Bb Major, Eb Major, E minor, A minor, D minor, G minor, and C minor. Be prepared to demonstrate an ability to adapt to harmonic minor and jazz melodic minor.
- Perform arpeggios of Maj7, dom7, min7, and min7b5 chords, in 12 keys, root position.
- Play Maj7, min7, dom7, and min 7b5 chords, in 12 keys, in various voicings along the neck and in “Drop 3” and “Ninth form” voicings (see attached examples in the key of C).
- Sight read a melody and play chordal accompaniment with a provided lead sheet.
- Sing pitches, clap rhythmic patterns and identify triad types played by the jury.
- Optional: Perform a short classical etude or technical study of your choosing.
*Guitarists in need of technical assistance are advised to consult: The Ronny Lee Jazz Guitar Method—Volume 2, Mel Bay Publications.
Download scales Voicings for Guitar (pdf).
Tunes
Perform with the faculty guitarist provided. (You may elect to bring your own single accompanist or your own background recordings though it is not necessary.) Be prepared to play a jazz standard in a medium swing tempo, a second jazz standard in a contrasting feel (i.e., latin, waltz, ballad), and a 12-bar blues. For all three tunes, be prepared to play the melody, an improvised solo, and a walking bass line. An amplifier, stereo system and music stand will be provided.
See an example of a walking bass-line Walking Bass Line (pdf).
Technical:
- Electric bassists perform two-octave scales in G Major, C Major, F Major, Bb Major, E minor, G minor, and A minor, and one-octave scales in Eb Major, D minor and C minor. Acoustic bassists perform two-octave scales in G Major, F Major, E minor and G minor, and one-octave scales in C Major, Bb Major, Eb Major, C minor, A minor, and D minor.
- Perform arpeggios of Maj7, dom7, min7, and min7b5 chords, in 12 keys, root position.
- Sight read a melody and play walking bass with a provided lead sheet.
- Sing pitches, clap rhythmic patterns and identify triad types played by the jury.
- Optional: Perform a short classical etude or technical study of your own choosing.