Jazz Auditions

All students interested in joining a jazz ensemble or combo must audition. If you audition, you will be considered for Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Ensemble II, Jazz Combo I, Jazz Combo II, and/or Jazz Combo III. Please contact us by email at this address with any questions or concerns. 

Fall 2024 Audition Information

Jazz auditions for Fall 2024 ensembles will take place the first week of classes, September 3-6. See below for details. 

Instrument Date Time Room
Saxophone TBD TBD Ferguson Hall room 3
Trumpet and Trombone TBD TBD Ferguson Hall room 3
Rhythm Section TBD TBD Ferguson Hall room 3

To request an audition time, please fill out the audition sign up form (available by early June). Course registration will occur upon completion of a successful audition. 

Auditioned ensembles begin fall rehearsals the week of September 9, 2024.

Fall 2024 Jazz Audition Requirements available soon

  • Please check back for updates

Spring 2024 Jazz Audition Requirements (for reference only)

All Wind / Brass Instruments 

Scales:

  • Concert Bb major scale ascending and descending (1 octave)
  • Concert Eb major scale ascending and descending (1 octave)
  • Concert F major scale ascending and descending (1 octave)
  • Chromatic Scale ascending and descending:
    • Saxophones: From low written Bb to high written F (full range of instrument)
    • Trumpets, Trombones, and other: From low concert Bb up and down two octaves

Prepared Piece (click on titles for files):

Art of the Matter​, by David Springfield (demo recording provided)
  • Alto Saxophone: Alto Saxophone 1, mm. 16-31
  • Tenor Saxophone: Tenor Saxophone 1, mm. 25-40
  • Baritone Saxophone: Baritone Saxophone, mm. 32-44
  • Trumpet: Trumpet 1, mm. 138-151 (4:59 on demo recording)
  • Trombone: Trombone 1, mm. 23-31, mm. 40-50
  • Bass Trombone: Trombone 4, mm. 36-50

Solar​, by Miles Davis

  • Clarinet: Solar (upper staff only)
  • Flute: Solar (upper staff only)

Improvisation (optional):

  • Play 2 choruses of blues in Bb. Backing track provided.

Rhythm Instruments

Prepared Piece (click on titles for files):

Art of the Matter,​ by David Springfield (demo recording provided)
  • Guitar: mm. 1-31
  • Piano: mm. 1-24
  • Bass: mm. 1-40
  • Drums: mm. 1-16

 

Play two choruses of time on the following lead sheets:

Links to demo recordings: Blue Bossa | Ladybird

*No additional improvisation required for rhythm section instruments