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.
Preparation resources: You may wish to review the lessons available at musictheory.net or teoria.com before taking the exam.
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.
You must submit a video performing two tunes. Please follow the requirements for your instrument:
Tune 1: Medium-Tempo 12-Bar Blues (Swing Feel)
Choose a medium-tempo blues tune with a swing feel.
Suggested tunes include:
- Blue Monk
- Straight No Chaser
- Tenor Madness
- Bags' Groove
- Sonnymoon for Two
- Centerpiece
- Doodlin'
- Fine and Mellow
- Things Ain't What They Used to Be
- Au Privave
- Blues in the Closet
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for two choruses.
Tune 2: Medium-Tempo Jazz Standard
Choose a medium-tempo jazz standard.
Suggested tunes include:
- Take the A Train
- There Will Never Be Another You
- Autumn Leaves
- Sweet Georgia Brown
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for one chorus.
You may use a backing track from YouTube, the iReal Pro app, Jamey Aebersold playalongs or live accompaniment if available.
You must submit a video performing two tunes. Please follow the requirements for your instrument:
Tune 1: Medium-Tempo 12-Bar Blues (Swing Feel)
Choose a medium-tempo blues tune with a swing feel.
Suggested tunes include:
- Blue Monk
- Straight No Chaser
- Tenor Madness
- Bags' Groove
- Sonnymoon for Two
- Centerpiece
- Doodlin'
- Fine and Mellow
- Things Ain't What They Used to Be
- Au Privave
- Blues in the Closet
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for two choruses.
Tune 2: Medium-Tempo Jazz Standard
Choose a medium-tempo jazz standard.
Suggested tunes include:
- Take the A Train
- There Will Never Be Another You
- Autumn Leaves
- Sweet Georgia Brown
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for one chorus.
You may use a backing track from YouTube, the iReal Pro app, Jamey Aebersold playalongs or live accompaniment if available.
In addition to the requirements above, please follow the instructions below:
- You must submit a video recording of yourself performing the following on the Drum Set and Snare Drum
- Ensure that we can see your face, and see your sticks hitting the drums/cymbals, while keeping the shot as tight as possible.
On Drum Set:
- Play 16 bars of Swing feel at a medium tempo.
- Play 16 bars of any kind of Latin feel at a medium tempo.
- Play 16 bars of any kind of Funk feel at a medium tempo.
- Trading fours: In a medium tempo swing feel, play four bars of time, then four bars of solo, repeating 6-8 times without stopping.
On Snare Drum:
- Perform the following rudiments on a snare drum:
- Closed (Buzz) Roll
- Open (Double Stroke) Roll
- Flam
- Ruff
- Drag
- Paradiddles (Single or Double)
Resources: PASIC Drum Rudiment Details (pdf), PASIC Drum Rudiments demonstration video (YouTube)
- Perform a published Rudimental Study (not self-composed).
Suggested studies from The All American Drummer by Charles Wilcoxon:
Video demonstrations: Solo #3 and Solo #89
Your audition can consist of one of these examples or a similar study. Please omit first endings and go straight to second endings in all rudimental studies.
You must submit a video performing two tunes. Please follow the requirements for your instrument:
Tune 1: Medium-Tempo 12-Bar Blues (Swing Feel)
Choose a medium-tempo blues tune with a swing feel.
Suggested tunes include:
- Blue Monk
- Straight No Chaser
- Tenor Madness
- Bags' Groove
- Sonnymoon for Two
- Centerpiece
- Doodlin'
- Fine and Mellow
- Things Ain't What They Used to Be
- Au Privave
- Blues in the Closet
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for two choruses.
- Play chords (comp) for two choruses.
Tune 2: Medium-Tempo Jazz Standard
Choose a medium-tempo jazz standard.
Suggested tunes include:
- Take the A Train
- There Will Never Be Another You
- Autumn Leaves
- Sweet Georgia Brown
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for one chorus.
- Play chords (comp) for one chorus.
You may use a backing track from YouTube, the iReal Pro app, Jamey Aebersold playalongs or live accompaniment if available.
You must submit a video performing two tunes. Please follow the requirements for your instrument:
Tune 1: Medium-Tempo 12-Bar Blues (Swing Feel)
Choose a medium-tempo blues tune with a swing feel.
Suggested tunes include:
- Blue Monk
- Straight No Chaser
- Tenor Madness
- Bags' Groove
- Sonnymoon for Two
- Centerpiece
- Doodlin'
- Fine and Mellow
- Things Ain't What They Used to Be
- Au Privave
- Blues in the Closet
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for two choruses.
- Play chords (comp) for two choruses.
Tune 2: Medium-Tempo Jazz Standard
Choose a medium-tempo jazz standard.
Suggested tunes include:
- Take the A Train
- There Will Never Be Another You
- Autumn Leaves
- Sweet Georgia Brown
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for one chorus.
- Play chords (comp) for one chorus.
You may use a backing track from YouTube, the iReal Pro app, Jamey Aebersold playalongs or live accompaniment if available.
You must submit a video performing two tunes. Please refer to the Vocal Jazz Audition Instructions (pdf).
The audition instructions include a package of suggested tunes with links to backing tracks and examples of well-known vocalists performing the songs in the same key. These selections are suggestions only, and you are not required to use them. If you choose a song from the package, you may change the key to suit your voice.
Your song selection must be from the swing era.
For your vocal audition, perform the following:
- Sing the melody.
- Improvise for one chorus over the chord progression.
- Sing the melody again on the third chorus.
You must submit a video performing two tunes. Please follow the requirements for your instrument:
Tune 1: Medium-Tempo 12-Bar Blues (Swing Feel)
Choose a medium-tempo blues tune with a swing feel.
Suggested tunes include:
- Blue Monk
- Straight No Chaser
- Tenor Madness
- Bags' Groove
- Sonnymoon for Two
- Centerpiece
- Doodlin'
- Fine and Mellow
- Things Ain't What They Used to Be
- Au Privave
- Blues in the Closet
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for two choruses.
Tune 2: Medium-Tempo Jazz Standard
Choose a medium-tempo jazz standard.
Suggested tunes include:
- Take the A Train
- There Will Never Be Another You
- Autumn Leaves
- Sweet Georgia Brown
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for one chorus.
You may use a backing track from YouTube, the iReal Pro app, Jamey Aebersold playalongs or live accompaniment if available.
You must submit a video performing two tunes. Please follow the requirements for your instrument:
Tune 1: Medium-Tempo 12-Bar Blues (Swing Feel)
Choose a medium-tempo blues tune with a swing feel.
Suggested tunes include:
- Blue Monk
- Straight No Chaser
- Tenor Madness
- Bags' Groove
- Sonnymoon for Two
- Centerpiece
- Doodlin'
- Fine and Mellow
- Things Ain't What They Used to Be
- Au Privave
- Blues in the Closet
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for two choruses.
- Play chords (comp) for two choruses.
Tune 2: Medium-Tempo Jazz Standard
Choose a medium-tempo jazz standard.
Suggested tunes include:
- Take the A Train
- There Will Never Be Another You
- Autumn Leaves
- Sweet Georgia Brown
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for one chorus.
- Play chords (comp) for one chorus.
You may use a backing track from YouTube, the iReal Pro app, Jamey Aebersold playalongs or live accompaniment if available.
You must submit a video performing two tunes. Please follow the requirements for your instrument:
Tune 1: Medium-Tempo 12-Bar Blues (Swing Feel)
Choose a medium-tempo blues tune with a swing feel.
Suggested tunes include:
- Blue Monk
- Straight No Chaser
- Tenor Madness
- Bags' Groove
- Sonnymoon for Two
- Centerpiece
- Doodlin'
- Fine and Mellow
- Things Ain't What They Used to Be
- Au Privave
- Blues in the Closet
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for two choruses.
- Play a walking bassline in quarter notes for one chorus.
Tune 2: Medium-Tempo Jazz Standard
Choose a medium-tempo jazz standard.
Suggested tunes include:
- Take the A Train
- There Will Never Be Another You
- Autumn Leaves
- Sweet Georgia Brown
What to perform:
- Play the melody.
- Improvise for one chorus.
- Play a walking bassline in quarter notes for one chorus.
You may use a backing track from YouTube, the iReal Pro app, Jamey Aebersold playalongs or live accompaniment if available.
