jazzstudies

How to Audition

BM, Music Performance

BM, Jazz Studies

All prospective and transfer students must apply for admission to NYU Steinhardt in addition to submitting their audition video. All applicants to the Jazz Studies program are considered for a variety of talent-based awards without further application. Apply for undergraduate study.

Submit Your Prescreening Audition Video

The Jazz Studies Program at NYU Steinhardt requires a prescreening video audition for all undergraduate applicants, including incoming freshmen and transfer applicants.

Please review the following deadlines for Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision applicants. You must submit your audition video online by the dates listed. Materials submitted after these dates may not be accepted. Please remember to attach the information sheet to your email with your YouTube video submission. See below for more information about your audition video.

Early Decision I and Early Decision II applicants who are accepted into the program will be exempt from live auditions. Regular Decision applicants will be notified by late January 2027 whether they have been selected for a live audition. Live auditions will take place March 1-4 2027 (subject to change), with similar repertoire requirements as the prescreening audition.

Prescreening Video Deadlines

All audition videos must arrive by the following dates:

  • Early Decision I (undergraduates only): November 1, 2026
  • Early Decision II (undergraduates only): January 1, 2027
  • Regular Decision (undergraduates only): January 5, 2027
  • All Graduate students for fall admission (along with the online application): December 1, 2026

Note for Transfer Students
Though NYU's deadline for Spring transfer admission is November 1 and our deadline for Summer/Fall transfer admission is April 1, we suggest that you submit your Common Application one month in advance. Submitting your Common Application early will leave you more time to schedule an audition by our deadlines above.

Instructions

  • Videos must be recorded with either a live rhythm section or a pre-recorded accompaniment track (e.g., Aebersold, iReal Pro, or similar).

  • All repertoire must be performed from memory. At the beginning of the video, applicants must clearly state their full name, primary instrument, and whether they are applying to the undergraduate or graduate program.

  • This is a formal audition. Applicants and any accompanying musicians should present themselves professionally, as they would for a recital or concert performance.

  • Videos should be recorded with the highest audio and video quality reasonably available. Each tune may be recorded separately, but must be recorded in full without edits.

  • Failure to adhere with these requirements may affect your audition assessment. Please follow the upload and submission instructions provided below.

Prescreening Repertoire for Bachelor of Music (BM)

  • Jazz Standard (“There Is No Greater Love,” “Four,” “There Will Never Be Another You,” “Have You Met Miss Jones,” “Take the ‘A’ Train,” etc.)
    • Saxophone/Trumpet/Trombone/Violin: play the melody and two choruses of improvisation
    • Guitar/Piano/Vibraphone/Bass: play the melody, one chorus of accompaniment behind a soloist, and two choruses of improvisation
    • Bass/Drum Set: accompany the melody and one chorus behind an improvising soloist, and improvise a two-chorus solo
  • Standard Ballad (“Misty,” “In A Sentimental Mood,” “Body & Soul,” etc.)
    • Saxophone/Trumpet/Trombone/Violin: play the melody and one chorus of improvisation
    • Guitar/Piano/Vibraphone: play the melody and one chorus of improvisation
    • Bass: accompany the melody in an appropriate ballad feel, improvise for one chorus
    • Drum Set: demonstrate playing with brushes behind the melody and one chorus of improvisation
  • Straight 8th/Latin (“Ceora,” “Blue Bossa,” “Desafinado,” “Recordame,” etc.)
    • Saxophone/Trumpet/Trombone/Violin: play the melody and two choruses of improvisation
    • Guitar/Piano/Bass/Vibraphone: play the melody, one chorus of accompaniment behind a soloist, and two choruses of improvisation
    • Bass/Drum Set: accompany the melody and one chorus behind an improvising soloist, and improvise a two-chorus solo
  • Perform one or two choruses (minimum 32 bars) of a solo transcription from your instrument. Record yourself playing along with the original recording. This does not need to be memorized.

YouTube Video Submission Instructions

Please title the video following this structure: NYU Jazz Audition: Your last name, instrument, degree level.

Example: NYU Jazz Audition: Smith, trumpet, UNDERGRADUATE.

Set up your video on YouTube as an unlisted video, and test the video link before submitting. You can log out of YouTube and send the link to a family member or a second email address to test.

Please attach your completed information sheet to your email with your YouTube unlisted video link and send it to Ian McLeod at jazzstudies@nyu.edu. Please write only your last name, instrument, and degree level in the subject line. For example: SMITH, trumpet, UNDERGRADUATE.