DETAILED PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS


Entrance examinations for the candidates who choose Jazz and improvised music (bachelor’s degree):

A two-stage examination; candidates who have passed the first stage are admitted to the second stage.

Stage 1:

Major exam
• an examination in playing an instrument – practical

Supplementary exam
• an interview – an oral examination

Stage 2:
Supplementary exam

• sight-reading – a practical examination
• a quick study examination (preparation of a provided piece of music – individual work) – practical
• an ear training – an oral examination

Candidates may perform with the accompaniment of their own rhythm section or of the rhythm section of the Academy of Music, upon prior provision of sheet music.

 

Programmes:

Playing the piano

A significant form from piano literature
• Performance of three pieces in jazz convention with an improvised solo, including: one piece on the blues form, one ballad (up to 80 bpm), and a fast or medium-tempo piece in any jazz style.
All pieces should be performed with the rhythm section accompaniment, and two of them should be published standards.

Playing the double bass

• A free-choice piece from classical literature
• Performance of three pieces in jazz convention with an improvised solo, including: one piece on the blues form, one ballad (up to 80 bpm), and a fast or medium-tempo piece in any jazz style
All pieces should be performed with the rhythm section accompaniment, and two of them should be published standards.

Playing the Western concert flute, playing the saxophone, playing the trumpet

A concerto or free-choice piece from classical literature.
Performance of three pieces in jazz convention with an improvised solo, including: one on blues form, one ballad (up to 80 bpm), and a fast or medium-tempo piece in any jazz style
All pieces should be performed with the rhythm section accompaniment, and two of them should be published standards.

Playing the trombone

• A concerto or free-choice piece from classical literature
• Performance of three pieces in jazz convention with an improvised solo, including: one piece on the blues form, one ballad (up to 80 bpm), and a fast or medium-tempo piece in any jazz style
All pieces should be performed with the rhythm section accompaniment, and two of them should be published standards.

Playing the percussion and percussion instruments

• Two snare drum pieces or etudes in different styles (classical and rudimental)
• Performance of three pieces in jazz convention with an improvised solo, including: one piece on the blues form, one ballad (up to 80 bpm), and a fast or medium-tempo piece in any jazz style
All pieces should be performed with the rhythm section accompaniment, and two of them should be published standards.

Playing the guitar

• A solo piece from classical literature from the curriculum of the secondary music school.
• Performance of three pieces in jazz convention with an improvised solo, including: one piece on the blues form, one ballad (up to 80 bpm), and a fast or medium-tempo piece in any jazz style.

All pieces should be performed with the rhythm section accompaniment, and two of them should be published standards.

*For the duration of the examination, the board provides the candidates with a classical guitar.

Playing the bass guitar

• Performance of three pieces in jazz convention with an improvised solo, including: one on blues form, one ballad (up to 80 bpm), and a fast or medium-tempo piece in any jazz style.
All pieces should be performed with the rhythm section accompaniment, and two of them should be published standards.

Playing the violin

• A free-choice piece from classical literature
• Performance of three pieces in jazz convention with an improvised solo, including: one on blues form, one ballad (up to 80 bpm), and a fast or medium-tempo piece in any jazz style
All pieces should be performed with the rhythm section accompaniment, and two of them should be published standards.

Major: Arrangement and composition

A two-stage examination; candidates who have passed the first stage are admitted to the second stage.
Stage 1:
• Presentation of three of the candidate’s own compositions or arrangements in PDF format accompanied by an audio recording in MP3 format (live performance or computer simulation).
• Playing the main instrument: performance of a selected jazz piece with improvisation, accompanied by a rhythm section

Stage 2:
• Playing the piano (if it is not the main instrument): performance of a selected jazz piece with improvisation solo or accompanied by a rhythm section
• Realisation of the provided harmonic pattern on the piano
• Ear training: melodic and rhythmic exercises
• Harmony: realisation of modulations and other chord combinations
• An interview