Kansas City Jazz Academy
Audition Requirements
Auditions are Sunday, July 12, 1–3 PM at the Gem Theater. Find your instrument below for what to prepare — prepared songs, scales, backing tracks, and downloadable sheet music.
Everyone prepares two songs — Cantaloupe Island and Blue Monk — plus scales (rudiments for drummers). Backing tracks (hosted audio and/or links) and transposed sheet music for your instrument are in each section below.
Improvisation
- Everyone is encouraged to improvise; however, it is not mandatory for the audition.
- Improvisation is crucial for those who desire placement in advanced ensembles.
- If you choose not to improvise, you must be prepared to play the melodies/heads of Cantaloupe Island and Blue Monk as well as the scales (rudiments for drummers).
All Winds
- Prepared songs: Cantaloupe Island and Blue Monk. Play the head once and improvise for two choruses. Backing tracks and/or links are provided.
- Chromatic scale: play at least one octave and, if possible, the full range of your instrument.
- Scales: be prepared to play 3 major scales of your choice. You will be assessed on your steady tempo and note accuracy.
Backing tracks
- ▶ Blue Monk — B♭ instruments (opens in a new tab)
- ▶ Blue Monk — E♭ instruments (opens in a new tab)
- ▶ Blue Monk — Trombone / concert (C) (opens in a new tab)
- ▶ Cantaloupe Island — Tenor Sax / Trumpet / Clarinet (B♭) (opens in a new tab)
- ▶ Cantaloupe Island — Alto / Bari Sax (E♭) (opens in a new tab)
- ▶ Cantaloupe Island — Trombone (opens in a new tab)
Sheet music
B♭ instruments
E♭ instruments
Bass clef instruments (trombone)
Piano, Guitar & Vibraphone
- Prepared songs: Cantaloupe Island and Blue Monk. Play the melody for one chorus, comp for one chorus, and improvise one chorus. Backing tracks and/or links are provided.
- Pianists can earn more points by preparing the introduction and ongoing ostinato in Cantaloupe Island.
- Scales: be prepared to play 3 major scales of your choice. You will be assessed on your steady tempo and note accuracy.
Backing tracks
- Blue Monk
- ▶ Cantaloupe Island (opens in a new tab)
Sheet music
Bass
- Prepared songs: Cantaloupe Island and Blue Monk. Play the melody for one chorus, comp for one chorus, and improvise one chorus. Backing tracks and/or links are provided.
- Scales: be prepared to play 3 major scales of your choice. You will be assessed on your steady tempo and note accuracy.
Backing tracks
- Blue Monk
- ▶ Cantaloupe Island (opens in a new tab)
Sheet music
Drums
- Prepared songs: Cantaloupe Island and Blue Monk. Comp one chorus, and either improvise for one chorus or trade fours over two choruses. Backing tracks and/or links are provided.
- Prepare these grooves: swing, bossa nova or samba, and rock/funk.
- Rudiments: be prepared to play at least 3 rudiments of your choice. You will be assessed on a steady tempo and accuracy.
Backing tracks
- Blue Monk
- ▶ Cantaloupe Island (opens in a new tab)