Doctor of Musical Arts

Prescreening:

Record yourself singing/playing and improvising on two contrasting pieces: a blues or jazz standard as well as a second piece of your choice (another standard, original or jazz composition). We prefer that the two submissions include one or more musicians playing with you live. If that is not possible, play-along accompaniment is allowed. We welcome additional materials, including recordings of original music, and music you have produced.

Final Auditions:

All applicants invited for live auditions should be prepared to perform from memory and improvise on the following:

• One jazz standard
• One additional piece of your choice

Pieces performed for the live audition should differ from those included on the prescreening recording. A rhythm section including piano, bass, and drums will be provided for live auditions. Applicants must provide 3 lead sheets for the musicians. You will also be asked to identify chords, sing and play back melodic phrases, and sight-read.

Recorded Auditions (video only):

Applicants who choose to submit final recorded auditions must still submit prescreening requirements as part of the online application. Applicants who pass the prescreening round will be invited to submit a final recorded audition. Final recorded auditions are due by February 3, and all other application and supporting materials, including prescreening, are due by December 1. We will not review recordings submitted without a completed application.

Repertoire requirements for the final recorded video audition:

• One jazz standard
• One additional piece of your choice

Notes:

• Pieces performed for final auditions should differ from those included on the prescreening recording.
• A live rhythm section should be used for the recorded audition.
• NEC encourages applicants to submit diverse repertoire, including works composed by women, people from historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, and/or musicians from one’s own cultural background.