Expectations & Auditions

Jazz Ensemble II is open to all individuals, and is non auditioned, with the exception of the Rhythm Section. Jazz Ensemble I - all members are required to audition. Audition and Class expectations are listed below.

Expectations

While Jazz II is open to any who wish to participate, there are some expectations that will "qualify" you to perform with each ensemble.

Jazz is an early morning class. You should arrive no later than 6:15 am
Roll will be taken at 6:20-6:25
Rehearsal will start @ 6:30
Overall Jazz Ensemble I or II expectations
1. Be enrolled in any of the CHS Concert Bands or Percussion Ensembles (Symphonic/Wind Ensemble/Percussion Ensemble I, II, or III). You DO NOT need to play your jazz instrument in those classes. The only exceptions for this rule are as follows.
  1. You are a student at another school coming here to participate in Jazz band (NUAMES, etc...)
  2. you play guitar, or bass, or piano.
  3. You are a vocalist
2. Maintain a GPA of a 2.0 or better with No F's or U's. (UHSAA policy - in order to participate in UHSAA events you must meet this standard.)
Jazz I expectations - To be considered for Jazz I you must
1. Be in good standing with Jazz Band Attendance - You are allowed 3 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES and 5 total Absences (unexcused or excused ALL count towards the 5). On the 3rd unexcused, or 5 overall absence you will be replaced by the next in line (if there is not a next in line you slot will become vacant). In order to regain your good standing an arrangement and contract with Mr. Bailey can be arranged.
2. Be in good standing with Jazz Band Performance expectations - performance expectations are based on feedback from section leaders, and individual music competency.
3. Complete The Jazz Ensemble Audition.
Jazz II expectations
1. Love (grow to) to learn & perform Jazz
2. If you are a lead player (Alto I, Tenor I, Trombone I, Bass Trombone, Trumpet I, Kit, Guitar I) you must be in good standing with Jazz Band Attendance. (similar to above) once 3 unexcused absences, or 5 overall you will forfeit your lead part. This applies to all solos as well.
3. If you are lead player (same as above) it is expected that you are in good standing with Jazz Performance expectations.
4. Prepare for a Jazz I vacancy.

AUDITION INFORMATION

Rhythm Section

Rhythm Sections for both Jazz I & II will be auditioned. Auditions will be held at Clearfield High School on May 1 from 3 to 5 pm. Please Click HERE to sign up for a time slot. If you are unable to make it on May 1 you MUST contact Mr. Bailey (mabailey@dsdmail.net) BEFORE May 1 to schedule a time to audition. If you are auditioning for multiple slots (piano & kit, or bass & guitar, kit & vocalist, or any combination please sign up for only 1 time slot - but make sure to list the other instrument/voice that you are wanting to audition for)
Available Audition Slots are as follows

Jazz I Jazz II

Drum Kit 1 -2 Players Drum Kit 1-2 Players

Vibes 1 Player Vibes 1 Player

Guitar 1-2 Player Guitar 1-2 Player

Acoustic Bass - 1 Player Acoustic Bass - 1 Player

Electric Bass - 1 -2 (if no acoustic) Players Electric Bass - 1 -2 (if no acoustic) Players

Piano 1-2 Players Piano 1-2 Players

Vocalists 1 -2 (male or female) Vocalists 1 -2 (male or female)

Audition Materials and Instructions

(Click this link to access instructions)

click this link to sign up for an audition time

Vibes, Bass

Page 1 Harpin' Waltz
Autumn Leaves Etude
Autumn Leaves Lead Sheet - Those who are also auditioning for lead/Solo players
Play ONE chorus of F Blues - Chord Tones (I - IV - V) - roots only or arpeggios in quarter notes, your choice.
Soloing audition - solo on F Blues for 12 Bars

Drum Kit

Autumn Leaves Lead Sheet (Swing)
Drumming Basic Grooves/Styles
1. Samba
2. Jazz Waltz
3. Funk
4. Bossa Nova
Play along with Freddie's Side of Blues

Piano, Guitar

Page 1 - Harpin' Waltz
Autumn Leaves - Comping
Autumn Leaves - Soloing - for those who are also auditioning for solos
Play ONE chorus of F Blues - Chord Tones (I - IV - V) - roots only or arpeggios in quarter notes, your choice.
Soloing audition - solo on F Blues for 12 Bars

Vocals

Learn Autumn leaves - prepare for singing with the backing track

Wind Players

Alto, Tenor, Bari - Sax; Trombones; Trumpets

Sign up for Jazz Ensemble through counseling center
Come to class the FIRST MONDAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
Auditions will take place over the first two weeks of the year
After the first two weeks there will be a split into Jazz I and Jazz II (depending on numbers).

Performance & Class Schedule - Descriptions

Jazz Ensemble - Open to all students - (0 hour class - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 6:15 - 7:20)

Jazz Ensemble is open to all students, and instruments wanting to learn about jazz. It is encouraged for students to learn the traditional jazz instruments needed for big band ensemble (Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, Bari) – Trombone (Bass, or tenor) – Trumpet – Rhythm Section (Piano, Guitar, Drum Kit, Bass (Stand-Up & Electric)), but all instruments are welcome. Region & State Jazz ensembles will be auditioned when needed. This class is a 0 hour class 6:15 – 7:20 am, Monday, Tuesday & Thursday. Students must be in regular band classes (Sxs, Tbn, Tpt, Perc) to qualify for Region & State Jazz ensembles (with a few exceptions).

Performances will include:

Concert Performances – quarterly (3-4 a year)
Holiday FAF combo & School Performances - # of performances Vary
UMEA Festivals – Region & State Jazz**
Other Festivals – College Festivals (WSU Jazz Review, UVU, Peaks Jazz Festival, SUU Jazz Festival) **
Region & State Performing Ensemble = Touring Ensemble **
Jazz Dinner Dance
Party Band (Basketball)*

Region/State Performing Ensemble - Auditions will be held to determine Region/State performing ensemble - Jazz Ensemble I will be the primary ensemble performing at Region/State, or other touring festivals. If there is enough to organize a Jazz Ensemble II they will be eligible to perform at Region/State as well.

Falcon Jazz Combo

Jazz combos are new and are made up of a rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) and 2-3 horns (sax, tbn, tpt) and meet late start Wednesday’s at 8:30-9:15 am. No registration other than Jazz ensemble is required.

** Jazz Ensemble I will be the default Region/State, and other Festivals Performing ensemble.

* PARTY BAND - party band is required for all band members - football party band requirements are for 4 total games, basketball party band the requirement is 4 total games (each boys and girls game counts for 1 game each).

Why Jazz?

What makes Jazz different than other band classes?

- Technical development - Students will be expected to become a ''student of jazz". Listening, transcribing, performing, soloing, and exploring all areas of jazz. Along with becoming a "student of jazz", students will be expected to develop and maintain understanding in jazz scales (dorian, blues, major, pentatonic), and jazz styles (swing, funk, various latin styles, some rock, and jazz ballad's), and improvisation (through practice and performances of improvised solo's, whether in class or for concert performances). Students will be expected to spend the necessary time on their instruments to have a solid grasp in this genre of music. Kit players - will be expected to develop and maintain understanding of jazz drumming styles (basic to advanced swing, latin, funk and others), along with solid rhythm section playing and listening.
- Participation - to be considered for Varsity Jazz, students must also be registered and participate with their respective concert band/percussion ensemble class. There are a few exceptions to this rule: (1) Bass - it is expected that stand up bass/electric bass either take private lessons or participate on Bass in the school orchestra or wind ensemble; (2) Guitar - it is encouraged that guitar players be involved in private lessons where Jazz voicings can be discussed and practiced, (3) Piano - it is encouraged that students be either taking private piano lessons with jazz piano instruction if possible. All other performers must also participate in their respective band classes.
- Performances - Varsity jazz will be performing various times throughout the year (see calendar for details), at the very least they will perform once (1x) each term in the jazz & percussion concerts through the school, region and state jazz (when invited) festivals, WSU jazz festival, and occasional combo gigs (around FAF, and other holiday events throughout the year).

2023-24 Seating Results

Rhythm Section -
Winds - these auditions will take place the first two weeks of the new school year.

Jazz Solo Play along tracks