Jazz I Ensemble Auditions
May 17 - Rhythm Section (Kit, Drums, Piano, Bass)
May 20 - Winds (Saxes, Trombone, Trumpet)
* Materials and Details below
Audition & Class Expecation Information
Auditions
General Audition Information - Audition requirements
Everyone must sign up for Jazz Ensemble in the CHS counseling center.
Auditions are only required for
Jazz 1 Wind Players (saxophones, trombones, trumpets)
Audition Material/Requirements
ALL WIND PLAYERS (saxes, trombones, trumpets)
Parallel Harpin Waltz - PG 1
Autumn Leaves Etude
Solo over 12 Bar Blues in F
Access Audition Materials and Instructions HERE
Rhythm Section
Audition Material/Requirements
BASS
Parallel Harpin Waltz - PG 1
Autumn Leaves Etude
Create a Walking Bass Line for the F Blues (12 bar blues). In 4/4 time, tempo no slower than quarter = 130
PIANO & GUITAR
Autumn Leaves - Comping - demos on the website are examples. For the "Autumn leaves comping" set a metronome to 160, and use the guitar guitar, bass and drumkit backing track listed as "AUTUMN LEAVES - COMPING BACKING TRACK".
Parallel Harpin Waltz - PG 1
F Blues - Comping
Improv Solo - F Blues (12 bar blues) - 1 chorus of soloing over the F Blues
Vocals
Learn Autumn Leaves - Sing over a the backing track
Be signed up for Band (on band instrument) or Choir.
Drum Kit
Demonstrate Basic Jazz Drumming Styles
Swing
Jazz Waltz
Samba
Bossa Nova, or other Latin Drumming Style.
Play along with Autumn Leaves
Play along with Freddie's Side of Blues
Access Audition Materials and Instructions HERE
Jazz II (non auditioned) just needs to add jazz ensemble to their schedule through the counseling center.
Registration for live Auditions or Submitting links
Jazz Ensemble I (Varsity) - Audition information
Rhythm Section (drum kit, piano, guitar, bass, vocals)
Access Audition Materials and Instructions HERE
Wind Sections (saxophones, trombones, trumpets)
Access Audition Materials and Instructions HERE
Current CHS Jazz Ensemble Members you have until May 24 to submit auditions HERE
Class Expectation
General Class/Rehearsal Expectations
All Jazz Ensembles (Jazz I & II) are early morning classes. All students need to be registered (through the CHS counseling center) for Jazz Ensemble.
There is only one registration option - Band 3 - Jazz Ensemble. All need to register for this class. Jazz I & II will be distinguished in class.
Rehearsal Schedule (subject to change based on ensembles, and performance time of year.)
Maintain a GPA of a 2.0 or better, with no F's or U's
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
6:20 (arrive by - warm up and roll), 6:30 - 7:20 class time.
Wednesday's & Friday's - rehearsals/extra opportunities on these days on an as needed basis.
Jazz I Specific Expectations
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. Exceptions to this rule are as follows
Your main school is not CHS (NUAMES, Northridge, Syracuse (if you attend NHS or SHS you must also be enrolled in your schools respective band programs in at least 1 performing ensemble)
Your main instrument is guitar, or bass, or piano. (if you are a bass player/piano player it is encouraged that you also play in the CHS orchestra and/or Choir)
You are a vocalist (you must be enrolled in Choir or on of the band performance ensembles)
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 II Specific Expectations
Love (grow to) to learn & perform Jazz
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.
If you are lead player (same as above) it is expected that you are in good standing with Jazz Performance expectations.
Prepare for a Jazz I vacancy.
Performance Expectations
General (ALL) performance expectations
"Dress" Rehearsals
Concert Performances
Concert Uniform
Concert Black
Green Ties
Jazz as a Language
Be prepared with your music - come to rehearsal prepared to rehearse not to learn your part. YOUR responsibility is to learn notes and rhythms (woodshedding) during your PRACTICE TIME. If you are unwilling to practice outside of class Jazz I will not be a good fit. You have got to spend time on your instrument on your own.
Know the style - Jazz is a language! The best way to excel in this language is to listen to it. Listen to the styles we are performing and rehearsing, including recordings, both original and the current arrangements we are performing to learn and soak in the style of Jazz.
Ensemble Instrumentation Preference
Jazz 1 Ensemble Preferences
Saxes Trombones Trumpet
Lead Alto - 1 player * Lead Trombone - 1 player * Lead Trumpet - 1 player (range)
Alto 2 - 2 players * Trombone 2 - 1 player * Trumpet 2 - 1 player (lead soloist)
Lead Tenor - 1 player * Trombone 3 - 2 Players * Trumpet 3 - 1 player
Tenor 2 - 1 to 2 players * Bass Trombone - 1 Player * Trumpet 4 - 1 to 2 players
Bari Sax - 1 player
Rhythm Section
Guitar - 1 to 2 players
Piano - 1 player
Kit - 1 player (must also play vibes, doubles vibes)
Vibes - 1 player (must also be proficient on Kit, doubles kit)
Bass - 1 to 2 players (must be able to Stand up or Electric, if player can do both it is preferred)
Vocals - 1 to 2 Singers (1 male, 1 Female)
Jazz 2 Ensemble Preferences
Rhythm Section
Kit - 1 player (must also play vibes, doubles vibes)
Vibes - 1 player (must also be proficient on Kit, doubles kit)
Aux Percussion - 1 player
Piano - 1 to 2 preferred but up to 3
Bass - 1 to 2 players
Vocals - 1 to 2 Singers
Guitar - up to 3
Winds - All who are interested regardless of instrument.
** NON TRADITIONAL JAZZ INSTRUMENTS - you will be asked to transpose your parts from the traditional jazz instruments if parts are not available for your particular instrument.
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).