Jazz Studies & Commercial Music

Jazz students in rehearsal

teryn re

Teryn Ré

Cal State Fullerton is excited to announce the addition of the Jazz Vocal Emphasis to the already existing, and prestigious, Jazz Studies and Commercial Music Program. Led by Teryn Ré, the program will focus on developing the individual vocalist to become their best, most unique self. In addition to the current Jazz and Commercial curriculum which includes applied lessons, jazz arranging, jazz theory, jazz pedagogy, music production etc.. the program will include opportunities to learn  vocal jazz styles (solo singing), workshops (instrumentalists and vocalists learning best performance practices together), and more. The students in the program will have many performance opportunities both as soloists and in the CSUF Jazz Singers ensemble. Applications for the Fall 2024 semester are now open. For questions please contact Jazz Area Coordinator Rodolfo Zuniga or Professor Teryn Ré.

The Jazz Studies Program at CSUF offers students a chance to prepare themselves for the world of professional performance and composing/arranging opportunities in the Southern California region and throughout the nation. The Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in Jazz and Commercial Studies prepares students for this vibrant field.

Ensembles include the Fullerton Jazz Orchestra, Fullerton Big Band & Latin Ensemble, Jazz Small Groups (combos), and the Jazz Singers. From participation in these groups, students are prepared to take their place in the jazz and commercial performing opportunities available in the region.

The Jazz Ensembles and Combos are active in performing a wide variety of styles; from cutting edge contemporary styles of Maria Schneider and Jim McNeely to the classics of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. They perform concerts on campus and at top local, regional and international jazz festivals. Students may also audition for any of the jazz combos. The CSUF jazz groups have been selected as the winning ensembles & combos at the Reno Jazz Festival, Fullerton College Jazz Festival and the Pacific Coast Jazz Festival.

The Jazz Singers performs music that encompasses a wide variety of contemporary and historical jazz styles. In Jazz Singers an emphasis is placed on solo improvisation.

Faculty

Rodolfo Zuniga - jazz studies, jazz percussion, music technology, Fullerton Chamber Jazz Ensemble director

Bill Cunliffe - jazz piano; arranging; Fullerton Big Band and combo director


Zachary Caplinger* - jazz guitar

Eric Dries* - improvisation

Jeff Ellwood* - saxophone (website)

Ron Escheté* - guitar (website)

TK Gardner* - guitar

Luther Hughes* - bass (website)

Paul Kreibich* - drum set (website)

J. Michael O’Neal* - jazz piano (website)

Kye Palmer* - jazz trumpet

Teryn Ré* - vocal jazz director

Charles Sharp* - jazz history (website)

Francisco Torres* - latin jazz, trombone (website)

Matthew Yeakley* - jazz guitar

Damon Zick* - saxophone (website)

* denotes part-time faculty 

Degree Programs
Bachelor of Music: Instrumental Performance and Jazz and Commercial Music
Bachelor of Arts in Music: Liberal Arts & Music Education
Master of Music: Performance
Master of Arts in Music
Minor in Music
Artist Diploma (non-degree)

Master of Music audition information

Auditions
All students wishing to study jazz at Cal State Fullerton must audition. Both scholarship and regular auditions for incoming students are scheduled in the spring of each year. Students who hope to begin study in a spring semester may make special arrangements for an audition through the area coordinator. If your main instrument falls under the category of jazz or commercial music, you need to audition for the jazz faculty.   Certain instruments require that you also audition for the classical faculty as well.

Contact

Rodolfo Zuniga   (657) 278-3598

Repertoire and Other Audition Information Music—Undergraduate
Jazz
Audition Requirements and Other Essentials

Repertoire Requirements  Your audition will cover sight reading and this instrument-specific material:

 

Piano

You will only need to audition for the jazz faculty.  HOWEVER, you will also need to submit a pre-screening video before you can sign up for a live audition.  Instructions on the pre-screening process will be sent to you via email after you indicate your primary instrument.

  1. All major, natural minor, and harmonic minor scales (other scales optional).
  2. Play the melody, comp (both hands), and solo (while comping) to two of the following tunes: Doxy, Au Privave, Mr. PC, I Hear a Rhapsody, Blues for Alice, Have you Met Miss Jones, I’ll Remember April, and Cherokee.
  3. A jazz solo transcription, at least two choruses, or a technical etude that demonstrates technical work on your instrument.

 

Guitar (electric)

You will only need to audition for the jazz faculty.  HOWEVER, you will also need to submit a pre-screening video before you can sign up for a live audition.  Instructions on the pre-screening process will be sent to you via email after you indicate your primary instrument.

  1. All major scales (other scales optional).
  2. Play the melody, comp, and solo to two of the following tunes: Doxy, Au Privave, Mr. PC, I Hear a Rhapsody, Blues for Alice, Have you Met Miss Jones, I’ll Remember April, and Cherokee.
  3. A jazz solo transcription, at least two choruses, or a technical etude that demonstrates technical work on your instrument.
    Note: Amplifiers are provided (bring a 1/4” cable).

Bass
(bring acoustic and electric if you play both)

You will only need to audition for the jazz faculty.  HOWEVER, you will also need to submit a pre-screening video before you can sign up for a live audition.  Instructions on the pre-screening process will be sent to you via email after you indicate your primary instrument.

  1. All major scales (other scales optional).
  2. Play the melody, play a walking bass line, play a bass line in a rock and latin style, solo, and solo to two of the following tunes: Doxy, Au Privave, Mr. PC, I Hear a Rhapsody, Blues for Alice, Have you Met Miss Jones, I’ll Remember April, and Cherokee.
  3. A jazz solo transcription, at least two choruses, or a technical etude that demonstrates technical work on your instrument.
    Note: Amplifiers are provided (bring a 1/4” cable).

Jazz Vocal Audition Requirements: 

You will need to sign up for a separate classical audition as well as a jazz audition. Please also see the classical requirements.

1) Perform one swing tune of your choice, and there will be a rhythm section available. If you have an arrangement, please bring 4 copies of the chart There needs to be at least one chorus of vocal improvisation.

2) Perform one standard ballad of your choice. 

3) You may perform a third tune if you have a specialized arrangement of your own.

Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone

Trumpet and trombone:  You will need to sign up for a separate classical audition as well as a jazz audition. Please also see the classical requirementsOpens in new window .

Saxophone:  The classical and jazz portions of your audition will happen at the same audition appointment.  Please also see the classical requirements.

  1. All major scales and
         - Chromatic scale (at least two octaves)
         - Blues or pentatonic scales.
         - Optional: any form(s) of minor scales (including dorian mode)
  2. Perform the melody and improvise over the chord changes from two of the following tunes: Doxy, Au Privave, Mr. PC, I Hear a Rhapsody, Blues for Alice, Have you Met Miss Jones, I’ll Remember April, and Cherokee.
  3. Saxophone Only:  One work from the Standard Classical Solo Repertoire -OR- One etude from the Standard Classical Etude Repertoire

 

Drum Set/Percussion:

You will need to sign up for a separate classical audition as well as a jazz audition.

JAZZ AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrate time in varying tempos of 4/4 swing, 3/4 swing, Bossa Nova, Samba, Afro-Cuban 6/8, Songo, Cascara with Clave, funk/rock, and Shuffle. You will play with live musicians we provide, be ready to play with brushes and sticks.

You will need to submit a pre-screening video to the jazz faculty before you can sign up for a live audition.  Instructions on the pre-screening process will be sent to you via email after you indicate your primary instrument.

  1. Trade 4's, 8's and/or choruses in a style listed above.
  2. Play the melody of two jazz or standard tunes on the drums. Suggestions include: Doxy, Au Privave, Mr. PC, I Hear a Rhapsody, Blues for Alice, Have you Met Miss Jones, I’ll Remember April, and Cherokee.
  3. A jazz drum solo transcription, at least one chorus, or a technical etude that demonstrates technical work on your instrument.

You will be asked to also do on a mallet instrument OR piano:

  1. Major scales one octave through four flats and four sharps.
  2. Melody and comp OR simply play the changes on one of the tunes listed above. 

CLASSICAL AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Snare Drum : One etude from any of the following:

  • Intermediate or Advanced Snare Drum Etudes by Mitchell Peters
  • Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone
  • or equivalent 

Mallets : A two or four mallet marimba or xylophone solo

  • Examples include: JS Bach solo violin or cello transcriptions; Yellow After the Rain or Sea Refractions by Mitchel Peters; any Musser Etude; any GH Green Xylophone Rag, or a selection from the Unaccompanied Violin Sonatas by GF Handel, or equivalent. A selection from Masterpieces for Marimba published by Mcmillian would also be acceptable

If you have any question about the classical portion of your audition,
contact Prof. Sycil Mathai  • (657) 278- 7624

  1. Auditions:  Sign up instructions
  2. Your university admission  Sign up for and complete your audition regardless of the status of your university application and admission. Even if you have been denied admission to the university, the School of Music may advocate that you be granted admission based on your musical talent.

More information  
Rodolfo Zuniga (657) 278-3598

Master of Music in Performance
Jazz
Audition Requirements and Other Essentials

The Master of Music in Performance is an applied-based degree requiring 30 units of study in private lessons, large and small jazz ensembles, music history and literature, and music theory. The Cal State Fullerton School of Music faculty includes nationally and internationally recognized performers, scholars and composers. Students thrive in an environment that sustains challenging, vital music- making, with due regard for specialized individual attention. For those intending to pursue doctoral studies, the Master of Music degree normally leads to the DMA.

Audition Requirements

Entrance Auditions and Scholarship Auditions for the MM degree are held in February (for Fall semester entrance). Auditions also may be scheduled each semester (Fall and Spring) during Registration Week, just prior to the start of the semester, however, this is unlikely to include scholarship consideration. Under certain circumstances, a video recorded audition may be used for a preliminary assessment; however, a live audition is always required.

From memory, prepare melody, improvisation and rhythm section composing/bass lines (if applicable) to four tunes within the following parameters:

  1. Modal
  2. Ballad
  3. Advanced ii-V-I oriented chord progression
  4. Your choice (should reflect a contrast in jazz stylistic periods from the above)

In addition to this, the student should prepare an etude, or solo transcription that displays a high degree of technical skills. The student should also provide, and be prepared to play from, a list of memorized jazz tunes.

Letters of Recommendation
Arrange to have letters of recommendation from three music professionals familiar with your preparation for graduate study sent to the School of Music graduate program adviser.


More Information 
Audition Dates
Submission of Supporting Materials

Contact Information 
School of Music Graduate Program Advisor John Koegel (657) 278-7685
Jazz Area Coordinator Rodolfo Zuniga (657) 278-3598

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Last Published 11/28/23

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