Prospective Students

Interested in jazz at Knox? All prospective students are encouraged to visit campus to see us in action. Watch rehearsal, tour the jazz house, sit in with the Cherry St. Combo on a Thursday night. The best way to learn about our unique jazz program is to spend some time with the players and directors.

Prospective students in the process of application for admission to Knox College are also strongly encouraged to audition for Creative Arts Scholarships in Music. Music scholarships are available for majors and non-majors. On-campus auditions are recommended, but recorded auditions are also accepted. Auditions are arranged through the Knox College Admissions Department and are held with Nikki Whittaker.

• Perform a prepared piece of the student’s choice. Pick a piece that best represents your technical and expressive strengths. Etudes, sonata or concerto movements or any variety of solo literature are acceptable. For jazz instrumentalists, a transcribed solo is also an acceptable choice.
• Sight read a brief section of a piece, generally 32-64 measures.
• Know all major and minor scales.
• Improvise briefly over a standard 12-bar blues or a piece chosen by the student.

Students who have not had previous improvisation experience will be asked to attempt a brief improvisation for assessment purposes only. Previous improvisation experience is not required for scholarship consideration