SYMPHONIC BAND 

PART PLACEMENT AUDITION FOR ALL MEMBERS

Fall - All members must audition

Spring - Only new members must audition

• • WINDS AND BRASS CLICK HERE for the part placement audition music (Page of Patterns in Concert F, meas. 24-40) for the first day of class.  Scroll down past the score to find individual parts.  NOTE:  Participation in the part placement audition is mandatory for anyone interested in playing 1st parts or solo roles within the ensemble.  Those registered for class will upload via Brightspace.  All others will email to HensonV@sunysuffolk.edu

  • PERCUSSION CLICK HERE for part placement audition music for snare drum. 
    Percussion must also play the following scales:  F Major, Bb Major, Eb Major.

SYMPHONIC BAND PLAYLIST

• • CLICK HERE for Symphonic Band sheet music, warmups and scales.  Each piece is in a single file.  Only print page(s) you need for your part.

  • CLICK HERE  for YouTube playlist.

PLAYING ASSESSMENTS CAN BE FOUND IN BRIGHTSPACE

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

AUDITION INFORMATION

Fall - All members must audition

Spring - Only new members must audition

NOTE:  Participation in the placement audition is mandatory. Class entry requires students to demonstrate their ability to read music successfully.  Those registered for the class will upload via Brightspace.  All others will email to HensonV@sunysuffolk.edu

NOTE:  For those registered students who don't pass the audition, you can still remain in the class to gain experience. However, during concerts, you will only play the pieces assigned by Professor Henson that are considered within your playing ability.

PIANO, GUITAR, VIBES

1. NEW MEMBERS ONLY:  Sightread 8-16 measures for Professor Henson on the first day of class.

2. EVERYONE - During class or later at home, record yourself playing the track below and improvising.  We will learn the music together in class before you are sent off to record it.

CLICK HERE for backing track track

CLICK HERE for sheet music

• With the backing track, play the melody (head) the first time through. (Piano should also play chords)

• On repeat, solo over the chord changes, using the backing track.

STRING BASS / BASS GUITAR

1. NEW MEMBERS ONLY:  Sightread for Professor Henson on the first day of class. (8-16 measures)

2. EVERYONE - During class or later at home, record yourself playing the track below and improvising.  We will learn the music together in class before you are sent off to record it.

CLICK HERE for backing track

CLICK HERE for sheet music

• With the backing track, play the melody (head) the first time through.

• On repeat, solo over the chord changes, using the backing track.

DRUM SET 

1. NEW MEMBERS ONLY:  Sightread for Professor Henson on the first day of class. (8-16 measures)

2.  EVERYONE - Demonstrate rhythmic and “groove” competency in the musical styles listed below. Students must play each groove and then demonstrate a ‘fill’ before going back into the groove.

● 4/4 swing at a variety of tempos (ride & Hi-hat keep beat) snare and kick drum only for fills.

● Fast jazz waltz with sticks (Metronome = 160 b.p.m.)

● Slow jazz waltz with brushes  (Metronome = 86 b.p.m.)

● Funk styles 

● Samba or Bossa Nova 

3. Record the provided drum set chart (measures 1-8) and fill in-between ensemble hits. Remember we are looking for fills between the accents, not solos.  You are only preparing measures 1-8)

• CLICK HERE for the provided drum set chart (scroll to find the drumset part)

It will be easier if you play along with the backing track.

• CLICK HERE to go to the backing track. (Youtube)

SAXES, BRASS

1. NEW MEMBERS ONLY:  Sightread for Professor Henson on the first day of class. (8-16 measures)

2. EVERYONE - During class or later at home, record yourself playing the track below and improvising.  We will learn the music together in class before you are sent off to record it.

C INSTRUMENTS - CLICK HERE for the backing track.  CLICK HERE for sheet music.

Eb INSTRUMENTS - CLICK HERE for the backing track.  CLICK HERE for sheet music.

Bb INSTRUMENTS - CLICK HERE for the backing track.  CLICK HERE for sheet music.

BASS CLEF INSTRUMENTS - CLICK HERE for the backing track.  CLICK HERE for sheet music.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE PLAYLIST

• • CLICK HERE for Jazz Band sheet music and improv studies. Each piece is in a single file.  Only print page(s) you need for your part.

  • CLICK HERE for Jazz Ensemble Youtube playlist.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

• • CLICK HERE for Jazz Ensemble Workbook

  • CLICK HERE for help with what scales to apply to specific chord symbols. 

  • CLICK HERE to an online scale builder from Berklee.

PLAYING ASSESSMENTS CAN BE FOUND IN BRIGHTSPACE

Jazz Instructional Videos