Jazz: Ensemble Auditions

Large jazz ensemble participation (Jazz Band I, II or III) is REQUIRED for students in the BM: Jazz Studies degree program. These ensembles satisfy the large ensemble requirement in each semester for Jazz Studies majors. In addition, jazz ensembles (big bands and combos) are open to ANY UNI student, by audition.

All students wishing to be considered for jazz ensembles (big bands and/or combos) must sign up for an audition slot AND complete the audition information form.

For trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, jazz auditions will be held on the Thursday and Friday prior to the first day of classes.

  1. Prepare and perform the excerpt(s) – see link below
  2. Sight Reading
  3. Improvisation
    1. Improvisation is encouraged (but not required) for students who wish to be considered for large jazz ensembles only.
    2. Improvisation is required for students who wish to be considered for combos.
    3. You may pick one of the three recommended tunes and use the backing tracks provided. If you’d like to play a tune that’s not on the list, make sure you bring your own play along device – computer, tablet, or phone (with adapter, if necessary) – to the audition, preset for your desired tempo (iReal Pro, for example, is an acceptable play along app to use).

For rhythm section instruments (guitar, piano, bass, drum set, and vibraphone), jazz auditions will be held on the Saturday prior to the first day of classes.

Guitar / Vibraphone / Piano / Bass

  1. Prepare and perform the excerpt(s) – see link below
  2. Sight Reading
  3. You may pick one of the three recommended tunes and use the appropriate backing track provided (#2 for comping instruments, #3 for bassists). If you’d like to play a tune that’s not on the list, make sure you bring your own play along device – computer, tablet, or phone (with adapter, if necessary) – to the audition, preset for your desired tempo (iReal Pro, for example, is an acceptable play along app to use).
  4. Group audition (“call back”) at 2pm in the Jazz Studio – this is required for all students auditioning on a rhythm section instrument! Students will play in ad hoc rhythm sections organized on the spot – repertoire TBD. This will enable the jazz faculty to experiment with various combinations of players to determine the best "fit" for each player.

Drum Set

  1. Prepare and perform the excerpt – see link below
  2. Sight Reading
  3. Demonstrate various grooves, including (but not necessarily limited to) Medium Swing, Up-Tempo Swing, Shuffle (a la Art Blakey or Mel Lewis), Bossa Nova, Samba, Mambo, Jazz Waltz, Ballad with brushes → transition to double time swing feel. You may be asked to trade 4s with yourself (play 4 bars of time, followed by 4 bars of solo, on a loop). You may be asked to transition between latin and swing feels. Etc.
  4. Group audition (“call back”) at 2pm in the Jazz Studio – this is required for all students auditioning on a rhythm section instrument! Students will play in ad hoc rhythm sections organized on the spot – repertoire TBD. This will enable the jazz faculty to experiment with various combinations of players to determine the best "fit" for each player.
Jazz Studies