Brass Studies, Instrumental Jazz, Vocal Jazz, Keyboard Studies, Voice, and Woodwind Studies all require prescreen video auditions in addition to a live audition.
Prescreen Audition Video submissions will be accepted from November 15, 2023 to January 23, 2024.
An audition is required for admissions to the Master of Music programs in Performance and Conducting. In addition, some areas require a prescreen video or application.
Composition applicants are not required to audition.
Please read this entire page carefully. Audition processes, requirements, and repertoire differ depending on your instrument and area of study. If something is unclear, additional questions pertaining to auditions can be found in the Graduate FAQ.
Live auditions will be held on Saturday, February 10, 17, and 24, 2024.
All instrumentalists who are interested in becoming Brass Studies majors must submit a Prescreen Audition Video as the first step in the audition process. Please refer to the Audition Video Guidelines section when preparing your Audition Video.
Based on the video, you will be notified if you have been selected to advance to the next step of the audition—an in-person audition where you will be expected to perform one or more selections that best reflect your lyrical and technical proficiency.
Please choose from any solo repertoire you have studied as an undergraduate, or a lyrical and technical étude, and orchestral excerpts. Music from your senior recital and excerpts from any orchestral or festival audition list are appropriate. Études need to be from a graduate level étude book (i.e Charlier, Bordogni, Bitsch, and Blazevich).
Live auditions will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
All instrumentalists who are interested in becoming Jazz Studies majors must submit a Prescreen Audition Video as the first step in the audition process. Please refer to the Audition Video Guidelines section when preparing your Audition Video.
Based on the video, you will be notified if you have been selected to advance to the next step of the audition—an in-person audition where you will be expected to sightread a jazz étude or excerpt. During this portion of the audition, we evaluate rhythmic and note accuracy in a consistent time feel.
Prepare two medium-tempo or up-tempo jazz standards/études in contrasting styles. Be prepared to perform the melody of the tune and improvise to the chord changes accompanied by live musicians or accompaniment tracks provided by you.
Saxophonists should be prepared to demonstrate woodwind-doubling skills on a jazz or classical étude or excerpt. Alto saxophonists should be prepared to play soprano sax and flute. Tenor saxophonists should be prepared to play clarinet and flute. Baritone saxophonists should be prepared to play bass clarinet and flute.
Guitar and Piano
Prepare two medium-tempo or up-tempo jazz standards/études in contrasting styles. Be prepared to perform the melody of the tune, perform a chord melody (guitar only), "comp" the chord changes, and improvise on the chord changes accompanied by live musicians or accompaniment tracks provided by you. Guitarists will be asked to play the written melody line; Pianists will be asked to play the written melody while comping the chord changes in the left hand.
Bass
Prepare two medium-tempo or up-tempo jazz standards/études in contrasting styles. Be prepared to perform the melody of the tune, provide a bass line (comp), and improvise to the chord changes accompanied by live musicians or accompaniment tracks provided by you.
Candidates must audition on acoustic bass, but may also demonstrate their electric bass skills. The Jazz Studies area does not admit candidates who play electric bass only.
Drums
Prepare two medium-tempo or up-tempo jazz standards/études in contrasting styles. Be prepared to perform the tunes accompanied by live musicians or accompaniment tracks provided by you. Candidates who advance to the second part of the audition will be asked to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of styles, plus the ability to play in odd meters. Additionally, you will be asked to sightread a portion of a big band chart to demonstrate your ability to play a consistent groove in the style, play set-up figures, and accurately play notated ensemble cues.
Play the melody of, and improvise over the chord changes to three jazz standards of contrasting styles accompanied by live musicians or pre-recorded accompaniment tracks which you are required to provide. One of the pieces must be performed at a tempo marking of at least 240 bpm.
Comp the chord changes to both tunes using four mallets.
Prepare a "chord melody" of an entire jazz standard and one of the final 10 pieces from Vibraphone Technique: Dampening and Pedaling by David Friedman.
Perform a the melody of and improvise over a jazz standard rearranged in an odd meter such as 5/4, 7/8 or 9/8.
Graduate jazz studies degree programs are designed to put the finishing touches on your previously acquired jazz skills. Collegiate jazz programs are not designed to accommodate those with little or no jazz background and/or those with undeveloped music notation reading skills. Here are some general guidelines and prerequisite skills that indicate whether the Jazz Studies degree programs at "Jazz At The Beach" are a good fit for you:
Master of Music in Jazz Studies Candidates
Successful candidates have a history of excellence in secondary school and collegiate academics, have 6-8years of experience as the star performers of their secondary school and undergraduate Jazz Studies programs, possess an extensive repertoire of jazz standards, and can sightread notation at a near professional level. We must limit acceptance to those candidates who qualify for and will perform with our top jazz ensembles.
The Jazz Studies Handbook
The Jazz Studies Handbook was compiled and is updated annually to publicize jazz area policies, offer helpful advice, and answer frequently asked questions from prospective and current Bob Cole Conservatory jazz majors. If you have any further questions specific to the Jazz Studies area that are not covered in this handbook, please e-mail the area director at jeff.jarvis@csulb.edu.
All of us at "Jazz At The Beach" are eager to help you realize your goals.
Live auditions will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
For acceptance into the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music as a Jazz Voice Major, graduate students must submit a Prescreen Audition Video as the first step in the audition process. Please refer to the Audition Video Guidelines section when preparing your Audition Video.
Your Audition Video must include three song selections: a ballad, a medium swing, and another contrasting style (Latin, ECM, bebop, etc.). At least two of the pieces must include vocal improvisation.
Based on your prescreen video, you will be notified if you have been selected to advance to the next step of the audition process—an in-person audition (ZOOM audition is allowable only if unable to come in person).
The Bob Cole Conservatory may have Graduate Teaching Assistantships available during some academic years. If you are interested in being a Graduate Assistant, please notify the Area Director, Christine Guter.
Interested students must complete an audition for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship. In most (but not all) cases, this would happen during your audition into the Conservatory.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships could be a one- or two-year appointment.
Graduate Assistantship Audition and Interview Requirements
Play random (requested) ii-V-I patterns at the piano
Play through (sight-read) changes on a lead sheet provided by the audition committee
Sightread (play on piano) vocal parts to a vocal jazz arrangement provided by the audition committee
Be prepared to do a live teaching demonstration with one of the Conservatory’s vocal jazz ensembles. (Details of this process can be discussed at a later date)
Provide a résumé of all teaching and performing experience. If you have directed a vocal jazz group in the past, please include audio and/or video recordings if available
Copies of three recommendation letters from people who have worked with you, or observed your work as a professional musician and/or educator. These can be the same letters as the ones you provided for your application to the university
Discuss your strengths, weaknesses, goals, and philosophy of music and teaching
Applicants for admission on organ should be prepared to perform a work demonstrating both musical registration and technique. This may be done with one composition or with two contrasting works. Playing from memory will be considered as denoting serious preparation.
Repertoire may include:
Graduate
J.S. Bach: Doric Toccata
J.S. Bach: Wedge Prelude and Fugue
J.S. Bach: Preludes and Fugues in G Major, D Major, A Minor, and B Minor
J.S. Bach: Trio Sonatas
Vierne: Symphonies
Widor: Symphonies
Reubke: Sonata on 94th Psalm
Dupre: Variations on a Noel, and/or Preludes and Fugues
Live auditions will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
For acceptance into the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music as a Voice Major, graduate students must submit a Prescreen Audition Video as the first step in the audition process. Please refer to the Audition Video Guidelines section when preparing your Audition Video.
Prescreen audition and live audition repertoire are identical. You must perform:
One Italian aria
One German Lied
One French mélodie
One other aria or art song
Repertoire must be performed from memory.
Based on your prescreen video, you will be notified if you have been selected to advance to the next step of the audition process—an in-person audition (a video audition is allowable only if unable to come in person).
If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the area director.
Live auditions will be held on Saturday, February 10, 17, and 24, 2024.
All instrumentalists who are interested in becoming Woodwind Studies majors must submit a Prescreen Audition Video as the first step in the audition process. Please refer to the Audition Video Guidelines section when preparing your Audition Video.
Based on the video, you will be notified if you have been selected to advance to the next step of the audition—an in-person audition where you will be expected to perform one or more selections from the standard repertoire that reflect both lyrical and technical proficiency.
Applicants for admission on bassoon should prepare a solo concerto of the applicant’s choice, at least two orchestral excerpts, and one selection from Milde Concert Study, Opus 26, or a similar work. These selections should showcase your lyrical and technical ability and total approximately 15 minutes. Études are not appropriate for this audition.
Applicants for admission on clarinet should prepare a minimum of three compositions representing different styles, and a minimum of two orchestral excerpts. These selections should showcase your lyrical and technical ability and total approximately 15 minutes.
Prepare one solo piece (ex: one movement from the Mozart concerto in G Major or D Major or a piece from the French Composers Book) AND one orchestral excerpt.
Call-back Audition
Prepare two contrasting solo pieces showcasing your lyrical and technical ability (ex: one movement from the Mozart concerto in G Major or D Major and a piece from the French Composers Book) and a minimum of two orchestral excerpts.
Applicants for admission on oboe should be prepared to play two contrasting selections that best represent the applicant’s level of lyrical and technical proficiency. Please use the list below to help you select a work that best showcases your abilities. These are only suggestions, feel free to choose a work not on this list.
Repertoire may include:
Method and Exercise Books
A.M.R. Barrett: Complete Oboe Method, Original Edition (Boosey and Hawkes)
H. Brod: Études et Sonates pour Hautbois, 2nd Volume (A. Leduc)
W. Ferling: 48 Famous Studies (Southern Music Co.)
G. Gillet: Studies for the Advanced Teaching of the Oboe (A. Leduc)
A. Andraud: Vade Mecum of the Oboist (Southern Music Co.)
Sonatas and Solo Works
F. Poulenc: Sonata for Oboe and Piano (Southern Music Co.)
C. Saint-Saëns: Sonata for Oboe and Piano
G. Handel: Sonata No. 1 in C minor, No. 2 in G minor
A. Vivaldi: Sonata in C minor
G.P. Telemann: Sonata in G minor
G.P. Telemann: Twelve Fantasias
E. Paladihle: Solo
E. Lutyens: Presages Op. 53
G. Guilhaud: Premiere Concertino
C. Nielsen: Romance and Humoresque
R. Gipps: The Piper of Dreams for solo oboe
M. Maxwell: Pibroch for solo oboe and drone
P. Hindemith: Sonate für Oboe und Klavier (Schott)
M. Dranishnikova: Poem for oboe and piano
K. Hoover: Sonata Op. 44
F. Onovwerosuoke: Six Sketches for Oboes and Piano
H. Dutilleux: Sonata pour Hautbois et Piano (Leduc)
B. Britten: Six Metamorphoses after Ovid
J. Brandon: Three Desert Fables
A. Morris: Four Personalities
A. Morris: Six Collision Études
E. Bozza: Fantasie Pastorale
W. Piston: Suite for Oboe and Piano
W.G. Still: Incantation and Dance
R. Schumann: Three Romances for oboe and piano
M. Dring: Italian Dance
M. Dring: Three Piece Suite
Concerti
A. Vivaldi Concerti: A minor RV 461, D Major RV 453, D minor RV 454
Applicants for admission on saxophone should prepare two contrasting selections that best represent the applicant’s level of lyrical and technical proficiency and are approximately a total of 15 minutes of music. Please use the list below to help you select a work that best showcases your abilities. These are only suggestions, feel free to choose a work not on this list. Etudes are not appropriate for this audition.
The cohort is currently full; applications will open for the 2025 season.
Dear Prospective MM Candidate:
Thank you for your interest in the Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. Our choral program, with its focus on individual lessons, score study, repertoire, significant podium time for all applicants, and outstanding performing ensembles, is recognized as one of the finest in the country.
CSULB’s highly selective Conducting area accommodates no more than 2 graduate students per year, each of whom will gain experience conducting rehearsals and performances with the choirs, chamber ensembles, and opera choruses. Student conductors have opportunities to conduct various chamber ensembles and student composer premieres as well as their own ensembles. Based on your previous experience, strengths, and weaknesses, we will design an appropriate plan of training to help you become an extremely well-rounded conductor.
The Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir tours yearly both nationally and internationally; we have performed on National and Regional ACDA, NCCO and NAFME conferences as well as in some of the most prestigious festivals in the world. Most graduate students sing in this ensemble.
With competitive scholarships and graduate assistantships available, we offer a Conservatory education at a very affordable price. We have a 100% success rate into DMA programs or the profession. You are welcome to visit and attend a rehearsal—or a virtual rehearsal—by emailing me at jonathan.talberg@csulb.edu.
If you are interested in applying, please don’t hesitate to email me as a first step.
I look forward to hearing from you and send you best wishes,
Jonathan Talberg, DMA Director of Choral Activities Frank Pooler Professor of Choral Music
Thank you for your interest in the Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. Our orchestral program, with its focus on performing ensembles, is recognized as one of the finest in Southern California.
Our selective program accommodates no more than 1-2 students, each of whom will gain experience conducting rehearsals and performances with the Symphony, Chamber, and possibly Opera Orchestras. Student conductors also have opportunities to conduct the mostly non-major Orchestra at The Beach, various chamber ensembles and student composer premieres. Based on your previous experience, strength, and weaknesses, we will design an appropriate plan of training to help you become a well-rounded conductor.
The Bob Cole Conservatory Symphony Orchestra is the flagship ensemble of the school and performs more concert cycle than any other of our performing groups. Six annual symphonic concerts are held in the prestigious 1100-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center, adjacent to the Conservatory. We collaborate with opera, dance and film/animation on a regular basis.
Thank you for your interest in the Master of Music in Wind Conducting at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. Our Wind Band program, with its focus on performing ensembles, is recognized among the finest programs in the country.
Our selective program accommodates no more than 1-2 students, each of whom will gain experience conducting rehearsals and performances with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Pep Band. Student conductors also have opportunities to conduct various chamber ensembles and student composer premieres. Based on your previous experience, strengths, areas of desired improvement, and your professional goals, we will design an appropriate plan of training to help you become a well-rounded conductor.
The Bob Cole Conservatory Wind Symphony is the premier concert band at the school and performs in the prestigious 1100-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center, adjacent to the Conservatory.
Your Audition Video will be reviewed to determine your advancement in the audition process. The audition repertoire is outlined above by the area of your instrument. In addition to preparing your repertoire, make sure you meet the following criteria:
At the beginning of the recording, state clearly:
Your full name
The name of each piece and respective composer names
Recordings must be unedited and without artificial enhancement such as reverb or pitch correction.
Be sure that it is clear that you are playing your instrument live. This means make sure your instrument and your fingers, mouth, embochure, diaphragm (if you are a singer), drum kit, etc. are clearly visible while you are playing.
Be sure that you can be heard clearly. If you are playing with accompaniment, be sure you can be heard above the accompaniment/rhythm section.
Watch your video all the way through to check the quality, playability, and completeness of your recording before you upload it.
Upload your audition video to YouTube, and be sure to make it UNLISTED (not private).
Additionally, it will be helpful if you use the following best practices for video:
Find a quiet location without background distractions
Adjust lighting so that you are well lit and not in shadows
If possible, use a microphone for better quality audio
Use this link for prescreen video submissions, to fill out your prescreen application, or to schedule your live audition. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation email.
You will have the ability to cancel or re-schedule your audition time using your confirmation email.
