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Jazz scholarships

A page within Jazz

There are two types of jazz scholarships available and both are awarded on the basis of the jazz audition described below.

1) General jazz scholarships: These are given to talented students regardless of major for participating in the jazz program's big bands and/or combos. Many of these may be renewed for up to five years for students who continue to meet participation and academic criteria.

2) Jazz Performance Emphasis Scholarships: Renewable annual Awards of up to $1,000 or more are open to music majors who choose to pursue a jazz performance emphasis and continue to make satisfactory progress towards completion of the emphasis. See for the requirements for the jazz performance emphasis at http://catalog.uwlax.edu/undergraduate/music/#majorstext.

Jazz Scholarship Audition Requirements

All Instruments

·      Performance of a prepared jazz piece (this can be a Jazz Standard, a Jazz Solo Transcription, or a selection from your Jazz Band Music. 

·      Performance of a Classical Solo or Etude showing technique and musicality.

·      Performance of 3 major scales-selected from C, F, G, Bb, D, Eb, A, Ab, E.

·      Sightreading of a jazz excerpt.

·      Improvisation. The following is optional for the general jazz scholarship: play an improvised solo on a 12 bar blues in the concert key of Bb or F with recorded or live accompaniment. Improvisation is required for the jazz performance emphasis scholarship: Using live or recorded accompaniment, 1) play an improvised solo on a 12 bar blues (concert key Bb or F) and 2) play an improvised solo on one of the following standard jazz tunes - "The Autumn Leaves" (concert G minor), "Take the A Train" (concert C major), "How High the Moon" (concert G major), or "In a Mellow Tone" (concert Ab major).

Rhythm section instruments should also prepare the following:

Bass:

·      Walk a quarter note bass line over a blues in the key of Bb or F.

·      Demonstrate other styles with which you are familiar

Piano/Guitar:

·      Demonstrate a swing comping style over a 12 bar blues in Bb or F.

·      Demonstrate other styles with which you are familiar

Drums:  Play 24 measures or more of

·      Swing feel at a medium tempo

·      Boss Nova

·      Funk/rock

·      Samba

 For further information or questions about the jazz scholarships please contact Dr. Jeff Erickson, Director of Jazz Studies (608-785-8414; jerickson@uwlax.edu).

Jazz Scholarships are part of the financial support available to musicians at UWL. Music majors are also encouraged to apply for other UWL music scholarships. Check with the UWL Foundation for more information on scholarships for students not related to the music area.