Private Lessons

Lessons are scheduled with the professor and meet weekly. These lessons focus on technique, style, & musicianship. 

Master Class

Weekly double bass master class- meets every Monday afternoon from 3-4. The ISU Double Bass Ensemble gives an annual evening concert of music exclusively for basses

Chamber Music

This component of the studio is a great way for musicians to work in small ensembles like trios, quartets, etc. These groups are often arranged by the professor. While some groups are comprised of one instrument, many others include a mixture of instruments. 

The String Project

The String Project is a unique program within ISU that allows string players to teach aspiring students. This program helps to strengthen educational foundations for the players and for the young teachers. These lessons and workshops focus on posture, note reading, technique & more. More information can be found on The String Project page. 

Double Bass Audition

• A movement from Bach Cello Suites
• A movement from the standard solo literature, OR the 1st movement from a standard bass concerto or sonata, including the published cadenza
• A standard orchestral excerpt

 Suggested Repertoire:

Baroque

• Movements from the Bach suites (any edition)
• Sonatas by Vivaldi, Eccles, Birkenstock, Marcello, etc.

Classical

• Works by Capuzzi, Dragonetti, Vanhal, Sperger, Dittersdorf, Keyper

Romantic

• Works by Bottesini, etc.

20th century

• Works by Koussevitsky, etc.
• Sonatas by Vagn Holmboe, David Ellis, Yuri Levitan, etc.
• Fryba suite in olden style

In general, a good anthology from which to choose shorter works is Schirmer’s Solos for the double bass player.

Jazz Bass Auditions

Note: All Students auditioning for acceptance into the B.M. in Jazz Studies sequence must complete two separate auditions: one classical audition on your instrument (see each studio’s requirements) and also a jazz audition (requirements listed below.)

1. Play with bow major and minor scales two octaves ascending and descending including natural, harmonic and melodic minor forms.
2. At least one prepared bebop melody (head) selected from: Billie’s Bounce, Au Privave, Blues for Alice, Confirmation, Anthropology or Ornithology.
3. Play a solo improvisation outlining the chord progression to:
   • A standard jazz blues progression in Bb or F.
   • A tune from the jazz standard repertoire that contrasts the blues selection. Suggestions for this would include: All the Things You Are, There Will Never Be Another You, Rhythm Changes, Autumn Leaves, Ladybird or something similar.
4. Play a walking bass line outlining the chord progressions that you select for your solo improvisation.
5. Sight read a selection provided at the audition.

Note: For numbers 2 - 4 above, students may use a play-along device of their choosing if desired (such as “I-Real Pro”) or they may choose to play un-accompanied.

On Campus

• Symphony Orchestra
• Chamber Music
• Jazz Bands
• Jazz Combo
• Wind Symphony
• Outreach opportunities through Illinois State University student ASTA chapter

• Evan Runyon, freelance acoustic and electric bassist

• Dorian Jackman, Doctoral Fellow at Indiana University
• Michael White, Doctoral Fellow at University of Iowa
• Jacob Mariani, studying Early Music at the Schola Cantorum in Basel Switzerland