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With our world-class faculty, award-winning student ensembles, and state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll find everything you need here at Lamont to prepare you for a career in jazz. Our faculty is made up of dedicated artist-teachers who will help you develop a strong jazz vocabulary and entrepreneurial spirit while you learn the basics of performing, writing and arranging.

As a jazz major you’ll participate in at least two ensembles every quarter, including the Lamont Jazz Orchestra and Small Groups. Lamont limits enrollment to 300 students, so you’ll enjoy small class sizes with plenty of personal attention. You’ll also learn from the amazing guest artists we bring in for master classes and performances; recent guests have included Pat Metheny, Maria Schneider and Branford Marsalis.

Faculty

Auditions

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are requiring recorded video auditions from all applicants as well as a live Zoom component.

  • Recorded Video Audition

    Video recordings should be unedited, i.e. do not make cuts or edits in the middle of pieces. It is fine to record pieces separately. Use the best recording equipment you have on hand. Faculty will evaluate you on the quality of your performance and not on the audio/video quality. 

    Recordings received after January 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This video should be uploaded through the Lamont application.

  • Live Zoom Interview

    Applicants will preference their top two (2) dates for a live Zoom interview on the Lamont application. 

    The 2021 interview/performance dates are January 30, February 6, and February 13. 

Repertoire Requirements

Jazz Performance: All Programs

Prepare three pieces that you feel best exemplify your talent. Choose contrasting pieces from the standard modern jazz canon of tunes. Perform the "head" or main melody and then improvise. We're looking for loads of jazz vocabulary as well as a stellar swinging time feel.

Audition requirements are the same for all instruments as well as voice.

Minor

Prepare one jazz standard. 

Jazz Composition and Arranging

  1. Submit musical scores of at least two contrasting works. These should be uploaded through the online application and also sent to Dave Hanson at David.Hanson@du.edu.
  2. Submit corresponding recordings of your scores, and any additional works you'd like to share. You may either submit the audio files or link to them on YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Drive, etc.
  3. Audition on your primary instrument or voice with three pieces that you feel best exemplify your talent. Choose contrasting pieces from the standard modern jazz canon of tunes. Perform the "head" or main melody and then improvise. We're looking for loads of jazz vocabulary as well as a stellar swinging time feel.
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