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 and commercial music. 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 and commercial music 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 Tatiana Mayfield, Ben Wendel, Bob Sheppard, Pat Metheny, Bob Mintzer, and Wayne Bergeron.
Auditions
Applicants may choose to either audition in person in Denver OR submit a recorded video audition and complete a Zoom interview.
Applications received after January 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. You may indicate your preference for a live or virtual audition on the Lamont application.
Click here to view the current year’s audition/interview dates and the full steps for how to apply.
All auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. The applicant will choose one of their prepared works to perform. The faculty will choose the second of the prepared works and possibly an additional work as well.
Jazz Performance: All Programs
Prepare three pieces that you feel best exemplify your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise. We're looking for performances that demonstrate musicality, technical skill and an understanding of standard chord progressions, e.g. blues form, chord scales, two five ones, etc.
Audition requirements are the same for all instruments as well as voice.
Minor
Prepare one piece that you feel best exemplifies your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise.
Jazz Composition and Arranging
Submit 2-4 musical scores of contrasting works.
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.
Audition on your primary instrument or voice with three pieces that you feel best exemplify your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise. We're looking for performances that demonstrate musicality, technical skill and an understanding of standard chord progressions, e.g. blues form, chord scales, two five ones, etc.
Applicants unable to travel to Denver for a live audition may submit a video audition via the Lamont application AND will complete a live Zoom interview. Repertoire may be recorded separately in multiple takes; editing within each take is prohibited.
The 10-minute interview will consist of a Q&A only. You will not be asked to perform.
Jazz Performance: All Programs
Prepare three pieces that you feel best exemplify your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise. We're looking for performances that demonstrate musicality, technical skill and an understanding of standard chord progressions, e.g. blues form, chord scales, two five ones, etc.
Audition requirements are the same for all instruments as well as voice.
Minor
Prepare one piece that you feel best exemplifies your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise.
Jazz Composition and Arranging
Submit 2-4 musical scores of contrasting works.
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.
Audition on your primary instrument or voice with three pieces that you feel best exemplify your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise. We're looking for performances that demonstrate musicality, technical skill and an understanding of standard chord progressions, e.g. blues form, chord scales, two five ones, etc.
Go to the graduate admission application to submit your information. For information on admission requirements, visit the graduate academic programs page and locate your program of interest.
