Auditions:
Middle School Jazz Band (grades 6-8)
The Middle School Jazz Band, comprising about 20 students with standard big band instrumentation, normally performs at the February festival (check dates to avoid conflicts). Students should prepare and perform the following audition repertoire.
This year's piece is "Watermelon Man": from Maiden Voyage which includes a practice audio track.
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 (River Rat Shuffle Improvisation Studies Letter D from Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method)
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 (River Rat Shuffle Improvisation Studies Letter D from Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method)
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, adn then back to the head
the assigned technical excerpt (River Rat Shuffle Improvisation Studies Letter D from Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method)
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 (River Rat Shuffle Improvisation Studies Letter D from Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method)
a sight-reading example chosen by the adjudicator from big band repertoire: chord changes and/or melodic notation
Drum Set
the assigned solo "My Dinner with Ronald" ms 29 two times. 1x) solo section play time to support the soloist (no figures) 2x) Trade 4s starting with drums. Then go onto ms 41 and play to 52 with written figures.
3 styles to be chosen from: swing, funk/rock, bossa nova, and 3/4 ballad with brushes
a sight-reading example chosen by the adjudicator from big band repertoire