Jazz Ensemble Audition Application
To Audition, please carefully read the entirety of the instructions below to understand what is expected of members and prospective members. You’ve been given a little over a week for a reason- prepare just a little bit each day and you should do great!
First, complete the below form and click the link below to sign up for a time slots to audition:
Jazz Ensemble Audition Time Signups
Auditions are Thursday April 2 and Friday, April 3, 2025.
jazz Ensemble Audition:
The following items are Required to be considered for Jazz I or, the varsity jazz ensemble at Hillcrest-
Participation in both Combo/Improv Day and Big Band Day:
Combo/Improv Day Thursday April 2
Big Band Day Friday April 3
COMBO DAY
Prepare each of the following tunes:
Lady Bird, Tadd Dameron (Medium Swing)
Crystal Silence, Chick Corea (Fusion Ballad)
Black Orpheus, Luis Bonfa (Bossa-Nova)
Find the appropriate lead sheet (C for Piano, Guitar, Drumset, Flute (if desired); Bb for Trumpet and Tenor Sax; Eb for Alto Sax and Bari Sax; C Bass for Trombone and Bass) and prepare each by doing the following:
1. LISTEN TO MULTIPLE PROFESSIONAL RECORDINGS FOR A SENSE OF THE TUNE AND HOW PEOPLE IMPROVISE OVER THE CHORD CHANGES.
2. Find “Play-Back” recordings to sing along and play along to the melody and experiment with improvisation.
At auditions, each tune will be performed with 4 “choruses” with a 4 bar lead in.
Chorus 1: Play the “Head” (the notated melody)
Chorus 2: Improvise (Wind Players- full chorus or “trade 4’s” with another wind member)
Chorus 3: Improvise (Rhythm Players- full chorus or “trade 4’s” with drumset, bass)
Chorus 4: Play the “Head” and End
To be considered for Jazz I, members must prepare all three “Heads” and two choruses of improvisation total across all three tunes: one for Lady Bird; the second is player’s choice.
To be considered for Jazz I or Jazz II, members must attempt one chorus of improvisation (recommended to improvise over Lady Bird) and play the “Head” (melody) of two of the three tunes.
RHYTHM SECTION MEMBERS (Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drumset, Vibes): an awareness of the specifics of your instrument in combo and big band settings is crucial for your involvement of the jazz program.
1. Piano players and Vibes players must display an understanding of “comp” voicings and melodic treatment.
2. Guitarists must demonstrate the ability to read notation AND how to do Freddie Green style voicings and playing technique. No Bar Chords or Cowboy Chords!
3. Drumset players should be able to listen to reference recordings and perform time/groove as well as comp and fill work. Two beat repeat time isn’t in the style of the art form.
4. Bass players should be able to demonstrate walking lines and the appropriate right hand pizzicato technique (this is different from classical technique!) Electric bass players should be willing to learn upright bass but will not be required to play on an upright at the audition.
5. Reading only the notation is not how the jazz world works! This audition will be a check of that understanding and willingness to independently develop those skills.
Big Band Day
Prepare the Big Band Charts:
Billie’s Bounce, Charlie Parker Arr. Bill Holman (Medium Swing)
Just in Time, Jule Styne Arr. Sammy Nestico (Easy Swing)
Big Band Day will have everyone present and running through both Billie’s Bounce and Just in Time in their entirety: Be ready to perform at the marked tempos and play different parts! Prepare your preference and if applicable, learn another part as well. Big Band Day should be about 40% of your preparation compared to combo/improv materials.