The High School Jazz Band, comprising about 20 students with standard big band instrumentation, normally performs at the March festival (check dates to avoid conflicts) Students should prepare and perform the following audition repertoire. 

Horns (alto/tenor/baritone saxophones, trumpet, trombone)

• the assigned solo 3 times in a row with CD accompaniment: the written head, an improvised solo over the chord changes, and the written head 

• the assigned technical excerpt 

• a sight-reading example chosen by the adjudicator from big band repertoire

Piano 

• the assigned solo 4 times in a row with CD accompaniment: the written melody in the right hand preferably with left hand chords (but not required), chordal accompaniment ("comping"), an improvised solo (melodic and chords),  and then back to the head

• the assigned technical excerpt 

• a sight-reading example chosen by the adjudicator from big band repertoire: chord changes and/or melodic notation

Guitar

• the assigned solo 4 times in a row with CD accompaniment: the written head, chordal accompaniment ("comping"), and an improvised a solo over the chord changes,  and then back to the head

• the assigned technical excerpt 

• a sight-reading example chosen by the adjudicator from big band repertoire: chord changes and/or melodic notation

Bass

• the assigned solo 4 times in a row with CD accompaniment: the written head, the written bassline (posted in the audition rep page linked below) and an improvised a solo over the chord changes,  and then back to the head

• the assigned technical excerpt 

• a sight-reading example chosen by the adjudicator from big band repertoire: chord changes and/or melodic notation

Drum Set

• the assigned solo  from the Hal Leonard Big Band Play-Along series Vol. 4, Jazz Classics. 

-Perform the song with the CD. Your playing does not need to be identical to that of the drummer on the recording. All written kicks should be played, with set-ups at your discretion. When accompanying the solos on the recording, be interactive with the soloist and provide a solid rhythmic foundation.

• 3 styles to be chosen from: swing, bossa nova, samba (or something closely related), rock, funk, jazz waltz, and brushes on slow-medium swing (stir the soup!)

• a sight-reading example chosen by the adjudicator from big band repertoire

           Drum Rotation 

2023-2024: "Four"

2024-2025: "Straight, No Chaser"

2025-2026: "Blue 'n' Boogie"

2026-2027: "Blue Train" aka "Blue Trane"

Audition Repertoire: Can be found on the audition information page

Audition Rubrics 

Audition Score Sheet-Piano, Guitar, and Bass (HS Jazz) 

Audition Score Sheet- Drum Set (HS Jazz) ---

Audition Score Sheet- Saxophones and Brass (HS Jazz).  ---