Jazz Auditions
Important Dates
- Monday, July 29th
Audition registration opens (Google Form)
- Wednesday, July 31st
Audition timeslots open (in Asimut)
Jazz Excerpts are posted
- Wednesday, August 21st
Registration closed for all instruments
- Thursday, August 22nd
Jazz Auditions begin
- Monday, August 26th
First day of Fall 2024 semester
First day of SJE
- Wednesday, August 28th
First day of JLE
- Thursday, August 29th
First day of JE
Audition Schedule
All Auditions will be in Kevreson Rehearsal Hall
Please note: Audition Registration will CLOSE on Wednesday, August 21st so small groups can be assigned for the Rhythm Section.
Thursday, August 22nd (Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Lab Ensemble)
9:30am - 11:30am Trumpets
1:00pm - 2:30pm Saxophones
2:30pm - 4:30pm Saxophones with woodwind doubles
Friday, August 23rd (Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Lab Ensemble)
9:30am - 11:30am Trombones
1:00pm - 4:30pm Rhythm Section (please plan on being available for the entire 3.5 hour block; you may be asked to mix and match)
Saturday, August 24th (Small Jazz Ensemble)
3:00pm - 6:00pm
Audition Policies
Missed/Late Audition Policy
All students are expected to participate in the live audition process as part of their educational and professional development. Those who do not complete an audition during their scheduled time will not be considered for any principal position.
You may be excused from your audition for the following reasons:
Illness with doctor's note
Death in the family
Military service conflict
Festival participation where ending date is in direct conflict with audition date
Extenuating Circumstances with faculty approval
If you will be missing your audition date for any of the aforementioned reasons, you MUST contact both Professors Ellen Rowe and Dennis Wilson to arrange a time to audition in person. Due to the nature of jazz auditions, a recorded submission is not acceptable.
Audition Registration
Audition Registration for Fall Term 2024 will open Monday, July 29th at 10:00am EST. All students auditioning must complete the registration form. This is separate from registering for the course and both are required.
Once you complete the registration form, it takes roughly 24-48 hours to PROCESS your information; once your form has been processed, you will be able to choose an audition time using the Asimut interface.
Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Lab Ensemble Registration Form
Small Jazz Ensemble Registration Form
Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Ensemble Audition Materials
You must be logged in under you umich.edu email to access the audition materials.
General notes
Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, or Other Non-Rhythm Section Instruments:
Auditions will consist of the posted prepared pieces as well as sight reading. Students are encouraged to demonstrate improvisational skills over a tune of their choosing. Piano accompaniment will be provided. Any saxophonist wishing to audition on woodwind doubles in addition to saxes should sign up for a 20 minute time slot between 2:30pm - 4:30pm.
Rhythm Section Instruments:
Auditions will consist of the posted prepared pieces as well as sight reading. Students are encouraged to demonstrate improvisational skills over a tune of their choosing.
Drummers must bring cymbals, sticks, and brushes.
Amplifiers will be provided but bassists and guitarists must have their own patch cords.
Instructions
Everyone should prepare both selections. Prepare all of [TBD] and [TBD]. If you have solo changes in your part do not worry about preparing them – you will have another chance to improvise during the audition time.
Saxophonists should prepare the part (alto, tenor, bari) that would be their first preference to play in the ensemble, but we will ask you if you own a different one and would be willing to play it if asked. Trumpet players can choose between [TBD]. Trombonists can pick between [TBD]
For your reference, a recording of [TBD] is linked here and a recording of [TBD] is linked here.
Rhythm section players will be placed into groups to audition with (you will not be auditioning by yourselves) and those groupings will be posted after 2pm on Wednesday, August 21st. All rhythm section players need to be available for the entire 1pm - 4:30pm slot.
Drummers should bring cymbals, brushes, and sticks.
Bassists and guitarists need to bring patch cords if they will be needing them. Amps will be provided.
Everyone will be asked to sightread and there will also be an opportunity to improvise over a tune of your choice if would like.
Individual Parts for [TBD]
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Lead Trombone
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Lead Trumpet
Trumpet 2
Piano
Bass
Guitar
Drum Set
Individual Parts for [TBD]
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Lead Trombone
Trombone 2
Trombone 4
Lead Trumpet
Trumpet 3
Piano
Bass
Guitar
Drum Set
Small Jazz Ensemble Audition Materials
Players will be invited up in groups of 5-6 to perform a tune of their mutual choosing. Please have at least 5 common standard tunes memorized and prepared to expedite the process. No fake books allowed. If agreement cannot be reached as to a selected tune, a blues can be called.
EXAMPLES of TYPICAL COMMON STANDARDS:
Autumn Leaves (g minor);
Green Dolphin St (Eb Major);
There Will Never Be Another You (Eb Major);
Take The A Train (C Major);
What Is This Thing Called Love (C Major)