Wichita State University
Jazz Studies Auditions
The WSU School of Music and the Jazz Studies area requires an audition on the major instrument for all first year, transfer students and graduate students. The audition determines acceptance into the School of Music. Your audition will be performed for representative members of the music performance faculty. In the Jazz Studies area, a live, on-campus audition is required for full acceptance and for scholarship consideration.
If you are a prospective undergraduate student and you live prohibitively far from WSU, you may submit a recording for entrance and consideration for scholarships. All prospective graduate students must complete a live, on-campus audition.
While the WSU Jazz Studies Department is a competitive area in the School of Music, we recognize that musicians develop at different rates and we encourage all hardworking students to apply. We recommend that you contact a member of the WSU Jazz Faculty directly to schedule a lesson in order to receive feedback prior to taking an audition.
Undergraduate Auditions
Students should be prepared to perform three tunes of varying styles (swing, Latin, ballad, waltz, etc.) with a backing track. Students will be asked to play the melody and improvise over the chord changes. Memorization of materials is encouraged but not required. Tunes should be selected from the standard jazz repertoire, the likes of which can be found in leadsheet form in resources such as The Real Book (6th edition, Hal Leonard, multiple volumes) and the Jamey Aebersold Play-A-Long series. The following list offers a handful of suggested tunes:
- Autumn Leaves
- Blue Bossa
- Blue Monk
- Take the A Train
- Doxy
- In a Sentimental Mood
- Impressions
- Mr. P.C.
Rhythm Instruments
Rhythm instruments should also be prepared to demonstrate comping skills (piano, guitar), or walking (bass). Drumset auditionees will be asked to demonstrate a variety of styles including but not limited to: swing, up-tempo, Latin styles, rock/funk, brushes, waltz, trading fours.
Jazz Arts Ensembles
Jazz Arts I
Rehearses - Monday/Wednesday 12:30 - 1:50 pm and Friday 12:30 - 1:20 pm
Director: Jim Pisano
Jazz Arts II
Rehearses - Tuesday/Thursday 5:30 - 6:45 pm
Director: William Flynn and Miguel Santana Morales
Prerequisites: For Jazz Studies Majors, you must be enrolled for private lessons for acceptance into Jazz Arts Ensemble I. For non-majors, you must be enrolled in lessons or Improvisation I or II.
Description: The Jazz Arts Ensemble is a traditional 19-piece big band jazz ensemble selected each year through an audition process. WSU's Jazz Arts Ensemble is part of the Jazz Studies curriculum, and the ensemble puts on two concerts each semester. The Jazz Arts Ensemble may also perform at public and private functions throughout the Wichita community, and for WSU special events. Jazz Arts has consistently been selected to perform at state, regional and national conferences, and festivals and has performed with notable guest artists. The repertoire of the ensemble consists of high-level arrangements of varying styles, including swing, Latin, rock, and pop charts, as well as new compositions. The Jazz Arts Ensemble welcome the opportunity to work with arrangers and composers on new projects.
Guest Artists
- Dennis Mackrel
- Frank Mantooth
- Ed Shaugnessy
- Matt Wilson
- Willie Thomas
- Jiggs Whigham
- Mundell Lowe
- John and Jeff Clayton
- Louis Bellson
- Mike Steinel
- Bobby Shew
- Charlie Rouse
- The Four Freshman
- Richie Cole
Jazz Combos
Coordinator: William Flynn
Meeting Times: To be arranged by individual combos and coordinator.
Prerequisites: None, although private lesson study with WSU faculty and/or improvisation study is highly recommended.
Description: The Jazz Combo program at Wichita State University is an alternative and supplement to the large ensembles of the Jazz Studies curriculum. All Jazz Combos perform two concerts each semester. Students who are enrolled in 411M/711M are required to have one or two additional performances outside of school each semester (respectively). Juries for Jazz Studies majors will take place at the end of each semester through a performance with their combos. Combos are required to perform a minimum of five different tunes per semester, and are strongly encouraged to create original arrangements and compose original tunes. The coordinator will give guidance and assistance when necessary/appropriate.
Guitar Ensemble
Director: William Flynn
Meeting Times: Monday/Wednesday, 11:30 am-12:20 pm
Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in private guitar lessons and must successfully complete a sight-reading audition.
Description: Wichita State University's Guitar Ensemble is a chamber jazz ensemble consisting of three to five guitarists that perform original arrangements of both classic and modern jazz repertoire. The ensemble requires high degrees of literacy and instrument awareness, as the group's members navigate arrangements written in standard musical notation. The ensemble is aimed toward familiarizing guitarists with reading music in an ensemble setting, and works to hone the students' skills in the ares of tone, balance, blend, and sight-reading. The Guitar Ensemble is also aimed toward giving the students yet another outlet to perform, as the ensemble performs in a formal concert setting at least twice per semester (in conjunction with Jazz Arts I & II and Jazz Combos). This ensemble is an integral part of a guitarist's musical education at WSU, and instills within them many musical skills they will be required to possess as working professionals.
Jazz Trio
- Most common configuration requested: Piano, bass and drums
- Popular for a wide variety of events in event spaces that may or may not have a piano available
- In event spaces without a piano, ensembles typically can provide their own high-quality electronic keyboard
- Ensemble can be amplified or acoustic (without amplification)
Jazz Quartet
- Most common configuration requested: piano, bass, drums and saxophone (or guitar)
- Popular for a wide variety of events in event spaces that may or may not have a piano available
- In event spaces without a piano, ensembles typically can provide their own high-quality electronic keyboard
- Ensemble can be amplified or acoustic (without amplification)
Jazz Duo
- Most common configuration requested: piano and bass
- Popular for a wide variety of events in smaller, more intimate event spaces
- Event spaces may or may not have a piano available
- Ensembles typically can provide their own high-quality electronic keyboard
- Ensemble can be amplified or acoustic (without amplification)
Jazz Vocalist with Ensemble
- Most common configuration requested: female vocalist with piano, bass and drums
- Popular for gala events and weddings
- Vocalist and ensemble generally require amplification
Jazz Big Band
- Best for large gatherings in bigger rooms, and receptions where dancing is a focus
- Need larger spaces, and stage size must be large enough to Accommodate up to 17 players with rhythm section
- In event spaces without a piano, ensembles typically can provide their own high-quality electronic keyboard
- Ensemble can be amplified or acoustic (without amplification), depending on size of gathering. WSU can provide amplification for soloists in many cases
Jazz Pianist
- Popular for relaxed receptions in event spaces that may or may not have a piano available
- Performers typically can provide their own high-quality electronic keyboard, if needed
- Repertoire ranges from jazz standards to popular music