Freshman Level Proficiency

All major and dorian (minor) scales, with arpeggios, 2 octaves, memorized. Competent sight-reading of 2 contrasting styles of standard big band literature, grade 1-2.

Sophomore Level Proficiency

All major and dorian (minor) scales in 3rds and triplet patterns, 2 octaves, memorized. Modes of the major and pentatonic scales, memorized. The half-whole diminished scale, 2 octaves, memorized. Ability to flawlessly transcribe and perform a solo of a recognized player. Proficient sight-reading of 3 contrasting styles of standard big band literature, grade 3-4. Ability to play, in time and from memory, the melody of any 3 jazz standards.

Junior Level Proficiency

Modes of the harmonic minor and melodic minor scales; the diminished whole-tone scale; the whole-tone scale; the bebop scale; the whole-half diminished scale – all 2 octaves where appropriate. Sight-reading of standard big band literature grade 5 and above. Sight-reading any jazz standard from a fake book in treble clef. Perform a 45-minute recital.

Senior Level Proficiency

Flawless execution of all scales listed above. Competent sight-reading of any big band literature regardless of degree of difficulty. Sight-read 6 different jazz standards from a fake book in treble clef. Ability to play blues in any key, with or without live or recorded rhythm section, in time. Perform a 60-minute recital




*** The above are MINIMUM requirements ***