Auditions

2009-2010 Jazz Ensembles Audition Procedure:

Step 1: Schedule your audition

Audition times as follows:

Instrumental Jazz: Sunday, September 6.

Click here to Schedule your audition.

Step 2: Click here for the required audition materials

Please note: A Boston University user name and kerboros password is required. If you do not have one, click here for “Early Bird” registration to obtain one.

Everyone

Required Solos

• Alto Sax
• Tenor Sax
• Bari Sax
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Bass
• Piano
• Guitar
• Drums

Jazz Chairs

Any winds auditioning for a “jazz” chair in their section.

• A recorded background will be provided from Jamey Abersold’s
  • Volume 1 “How to Play Jazz and Improvise”. Students can choose either “Bb Blues” or “F Blues.”

Rhythm Section Groove Requirements

Bass, Piano, Guitar: Blues changes, key of Bb. One chorus (12 bars) in the following styles and sequence (chord substitutions and standard variations on the blues progression highly recommended):

• rock or funk at mm=110
• swing at mm=110
• double-time swing at mm=220
• samba at mm=220
• jazz waltz at mm=220

Play each of these six styles in the prescribed order as one continuous etude.

Drummers

Drummers must play sixteen (16) bars of each of the following styles:

• rock or funk at mm=110
• swing at mm=110
• double-time swing at mm=220
• samba at mm=220
• jazz waltz at mm=220 Play each of these six styles in the prescribed order as one continuous etude.
• After a short pause, play eight bars of ballad (swing 8th notes) with brushes at mm=80.

Step 3: Register for the appropriate course

Upon placement into an ensemble, everyone must register for one of the following no-credit courses:

Big Band: CFA MU 094
Honors Combo: CFA MU 095
Jazz Workshop: CFA MU 096

Students can receive one credit for playing in an ensemble. Those students wishing to receive course credit for their participation should also register for the following:

Big Band: CFA MU 194
Honors Combo: CFA MU 195
Jazz Workshop: CFA MU 196