ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS – FALL 2008

Auditions will be held on Monday, August 25th

JAZZ ENSEMBLES at CU
All Jazz Ensembles (Big Bands and Combos) are open to students of all majors, and are placed by audition only. You must audition for acceptance into any of the CU jazz groups! Registration alone does not guarantee acceptance into an ensemble. Typically, not all students who audition are able to be placed into a group. Big Bands rehearse twice per week at designated times. Jazz Combos rehearse two hours per week, and are scheduled following audition results based on each group's schedule. In addition to performances both on and off campus, students are required to attend occasional sectional rehearsals which are held outside of regularly scheduled class time. These performances and sectionals are mandatory and are required of each student participating in the jazz ensembles.

GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION
The audition schedule for each instrument is listed below. Each audition will be anywhere from 6-12 minutes in length. If possible, students should sign up for an audition time prior to the first day of classes on August 25th. A sign-up sheet will be available outside of Macky 113 no later than August 17th.

All instruments audition for big band and combo at the same time - there is not a separate audition for each. Auditions for big bands are based primarily on sight reading. Jazz Combo auditions are based primarily on improvisation and knowledge of jazz repertoire.

Drummers will be asked to play a variety of style patterns in addition to sight reading. A drum set and cymbals are provided. Bring both sticks and brushes. If you are auditioning for a combo (in addition to, or instead of big band), you will be asked to play and solo on 3 selections of your choice (jazz standards) with an accompanist (provided by jazz progam).

Bassists should be prepared to play walking bass lines over chord changes in addition to sight reading and improvising.

Guitarists, pianists, and vibists should be prepared to comp (accompany) on chord changes as one would as part of a jazz rhythm section, in addition to soloing. Bass amp, guitar amp and piano will be provided at the audition. Guitarists and bassists: remember to bring your own patch cords! We will NOT provide a patch cord.

BIG BAND/COMBO AUDITIONS

SAXOPHONES: 11am - 3pm
(Sign-up sheets and auditions: Professor Gunther's studio-Macky 115.)

TRUMPETS/TROMBONES: 11am - 3:30pm
(Sign-up sheets and auditions: Professor Goode's studio-Macky 113.)

RHYTHM SECTION INSTRUMENTS (NOTE: Read * below!): 10am - 4pm
(Sign-up sheets : Professor Goode's studio: 113 MACKY, auditions held downstairs in room 1B03D)

*FOR ALL COMBO AUDITIONS: Please bring a copy of the lead sheets for 3 jazz standards (your choice) that you would like to play for your audition. ALSO: Bring a list of tunes for the committee that you know and can play (melody and improvise) by memory! You may be asked to play a tune from that list. You may also be asked to play on a tune chosen by the audition committee (with music provided for you). Your selections must include a jazz ballad, medium or up-tempo piece (bebop, standard, jazz standard, modal, or rhythm changes), and a 12-bar blues. Horn players: please bring a play-along CD of your tunes.Memorization is strongly recommended. The above audition requirements are true for ALL pianists/guitarists/bassists for your audition, whether you are auditioning for big band OR combo! Questions regarding combo auditions should be directed to Professor John Gunther (303) 735-1492, guntherj@colorado.edu.

For further information, feel free to contact us at:

E MAIL: CUJazz@colorado.edu
PHONE: (303) 492-8810

Audition results will be posted and e mailed as soon as results are determined and ALL ensembles are placed.

Results will be posted outside of room 113 (Macky) on the jazz bulletin board and can also be found by selecting the link to the right.

Jazz Bands will meet starting on Thursday, August 28th.
Combos will meet beginning as soon as a rehearsal time has been determined by the combo director. Members will be contact by the director.