Jazz Auditions
Audition Information
We encourage all instrumentalists and vocalists with any level of experience in jazz or popular music to schedule an audition. This is a friendly opportunity for our director to hear you and assess your experience level. Auditions are held at the start of the fall quarter and are designed to be low-pressure in a relaxed environment.
For prospective students, please complete the Jazz Ensembles Interest Form to receive more information about the 2024-25 University Jazz Bands and Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
Audition Scheduling
You can sign up now to audition! All auditioning students must complete the Jazz Personnel Audition Form to book an audition slot. Jazz audition results will be shared via email once the auditions have concluded. In-person auditions for new and returning members of the University Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz Ensemble will be held September 23-27. For those unable to attend in person, please see the "Special Circumstances Recorded Audition" section at the end.
Jazz Big Band & Combo Audition
Please prepare two pieces in contrasting styles. The first should be a big band piece to showcase your technical ability, selected from Jazz Auditions Fall 2024.
The second piece can be of your choosing (see the instrumental tune list below for some examples). For this piece, play the head in, improvise for one chorus (or two choruses over a blues), and then play the head out. You are welcome to use a backing track or iReal Pro during your audition.
In addition to your prepared pieces, there may be some gentle sight-reading.
Instrumental Tune List:
- Blues (any)
- Rhythm Changes (any)
- Blue Bossa
- Take the A Train
- Tune-Up
- Satin Doll
- Lady Bird
- So What
- All the Things You Are
- Have You Met Miss Jones
- On Green Dolphin Street
- Stella by Starlight
- What Is This Thing Called Love
- Spain
- Confirmation
- Moment’s Notice
- Or any tune of your choosing
Jazz Combo Audition (Only)
Perform two pieces in contrasting styles. The first should be a song selected from the instrumental tune list above and must include improvisation. Play the head in, improvise for one chorus (or two choruses over a blues), and then play the head out. The second piece can be any tune of your choosing, but it must include some improvisation. You are welcome to use a backing track or iReal Pro during your audition.
In addition to your prepared pieces, there may be some light sight-reading.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble Audition
Please prepare two jazz standards in contrasting styles from the list below (or from your own musical repertoire): one fast or medium tempo and one ballad. You are welcome to use a backing track or iReal Pro during your audition.
If you are interested in singing in a combo, please consider improvising over one of your selected tunes. For this piece, sing the head in, improvise for one chorus (or two choruses over a blues), and sing the head out.
Vocalists may be asked to sing a short exercise during their audition that demonstrates their ability to sing harmonies with others.
Tune List:
- All of Me
- Bye Bye Blackbird
- Fly Me to the Moon
- The Girl from Ipanema
- Lullaby of Birdland
- My Funny Valentine
- Night and Day
- Our Love is Here to Stay
- Route 66
- Summertime
- They Can’t Take That Away From Me
- When I Fall in Love
- Or any tune of your choosing
Special Circumstances Recorded Audition
If you are unable to attend the in-person jazz audition, you may submit a pre-recorded video of the audition materials via an unlisted YouTube or Vimeo link. Please have your unlisted YouTube link handy before you start completing the Jazz Personnel Audition Form.