Music, Jazz Studies Concentration, M.M.

Brochures

• Graduate Studies in Music
• Jazz Studies

General Application Procedures

1. Submit through the University’s Application tool (button below):
   • Submit application with the appropriate fee
   • Submit official transcripts of all previous college work
   • Submit three letters of recommendation.
2. Email directly to the program coordinator of interested area
   • Additional Requirements (video links, papers, compositions, etc)
3. By the February 1 deadline
   • Complete a Student Application (if interested) for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship

Additional Requirements: Audition

Please submit all Jazz Studies Area requirements to [email protected]. Jazz Percussion auditions should cc materials to [email protected].

Pitched Instruments Requirements (includes jazz guitar, double bass, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and piano)

The audition will consist of an assessment of the following:

1. Performance of major scales and modes, harmonic minor scales, melodic minor scales and modes, chromatic scale, half/whole diminished, blues scales, and dominant bebop scales. All scales must be prepared in all 12 keys and played the full range of instrument/voice.
2. Arpeggios: major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads; major 7th, dominant 7th, minor 7th, minor 7th b5, diminished 7th chords; all in root position, twelve keys.
3. Sight-reading skills in the jazz/big band style.
4. Three songs, one each from lists 1 and 2 & 3 below, all memorized (melody and chords). Play the melody (acoustic bass players must play melody arco), comp one chorus (guitar and piano only), walk one chorus (bass only), improvise between one and three choruses, and play the melody again.

LIST 1
Scrapple From The Apple
Half Nelson
Blues For Alice
Ornithology

LIST 2
Have You Met Miss Jones
All the Things You Are
Stella By Starlight
Ladybird

LIST 3
Body and Soul
In A Sentimental Mood
I Can’t Get Started
Round Midnight

For those graduate students seeking graduate assistantships, we look for a combination of a high level of performance, academic achievement, and teaching experience.

Drum Set – Jazz Studies Graduate Audition Requirements

1. The applicant should submit a screening recording which will be reviewed by the faculty to determine if an invitation for an on-campus audition will be extended. This should be submitted as a private youtube link. All applicants shall provide a copy of their proposed audition repertoire with the screening recording, should they receive an invitation for an on-campus audition. Here is how you should format your video:

• • At the beginning of the recording, state your name
  • State the degree that you wish to pursue
  • Announce the title and composer before each selection
  • All submissions must be unedited, without artificial audio
  • Please include 2-3 minute statement as to why the MTSU School of Music interests you and what you hope to accomplish during your time of study.

The applicant can send their video to Professor Lalo Davila at [email protected] and [email protected].

The screening repertoire is the same as for the live audition. If you advance to an on-campus audition, you may choose to change your audition repertoire, but this is not required.

If you would be unable to schedule a live on-campus audition if you advance, then at the beginning of your screening recording state your name, and the degree and major you seek, and that this is your “screening and final percussion audition video.”

2. The student must also contact Dr. Jamila L. McWhirter, Director of Graduate Studies, for possible additional requirements at [email protected].

3. The student will also provide three letters of reference prior to their audition.

All applicants must perform various styles and sight reading on drumset. It is suggested that you bring an additional recording of performances with a jazz combo or big band. The applicant will be asked to demonstrate:

• Soloing in various settings: trading fours, filling, and improvising over an ostinato
• Perform a fast tempo bebop melody on the drum set (Blues For Alice, Ornithology, Scrapple From the Apple)
• Knowledge of the jazz idiom, traditional and modern, at various tempos
• Proficiency in rock, funk, and fusion
• Knowledge of various Afro-Cuban styles including Cha-Cha-Cha, Bolero, Songo, and Afro-Cuban 6/8
• The student will also be asked to perform the following styles: Bossa Nova, Samba, and Partido Alto.
• They will be asked to read drum charts of diverse styles
• The student will perform with a play-a-long recording (provided) as part of a sight-reading process.
• The student will demonstrate good knowledge of jazz vibes and concert percussion.

For those graduate students seeking Graduate Assistantships, a performance drum set solo transcription and prior experience teaching private lessons is mandatory. Our 2025 deadline for GTA consideration is February 16, 2025. 

Jazz Voice Audition Repertoire

• Perform selections from each of the following categories and perform, memorized. Please provide the faculty panel with the lead sheets and/or arrangements that you are using. The student is responsible for accompaniment at the audition, in the form of an accompanist or backing track with Bluetooth speaker.
• 2 – 3 standards from the American Songbook, demonstrating different styles/tempos.
• 1 blues
• 1 other selection of your choice that demonstrates your abilities. A classical or “latin” tune may be chosen to demonstrate ability in those
• Provide the faculty with a professional resume and a list of memorized jazz repertoire.
• A jazz theory diagnostic exam may be required.
• Complete all other MTSU application materials, including reference letters and transcripts.

Resources

• Graduate Studies Information Sheet
• To Be Admitted
• Financial Assistance
• Music History Diagnostic Exam (Not applicable for Music Education concentration)
• Music Theory Diagnostic Exam (Not applicable for Music Education concentration)

Links

• Reference Forms
• Graduate Students in Music
• Ensembles
• Facilities
• Student Utilities
• Faculty by Field of Study
• Visiting Faculty

Libraries

• Center for Popular Music
• Center for Chinese Music and Culture

Public Accountability Notice

Middle Tennessee State University has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1970.

To see data about the program, please visit this webpage: https://planeffectiveness.mtsu.edu/master_music/.