CU Boulder Thompson Honor Jazz Ensemble
The inaugural CU Boulder Thompson Honor Jazz Ensemble brings together outstanding high school jazz musicians from across Colorado for a dynamic day of music-making, collaboration and connection on the CU Boulder campus.
Designed to complement and build upon the great work that students are already doing in their school music programs, the Thompson Honor Jazz Ensemble gives participants the opportunity to make music alongside like-minded peers and learn from faculty in the CU Boulder Thompson Jazz Studies Program. Throughout the day, students will rehearse as a full big band, work in sectionals, explore improvisation and connect more informally through a jam session.
The experience culminates in a public concert on the CU Boulder campus, showcasing the ensemble and the music they’ve explored throughout the day.
Nov. 7, 2026
2026 Honor Jazz Ensemble Schedule
2026 director: Annie Booth, Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies, Pianist-Composer
Audition deadline: Oct. 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m. MDT
Please see audition requirements and materials below.
Students selected for the CU Boulder Thompson Honor Jazz Ensemble will be notified via email by end-of-day on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. Rosters will be posted to our website shortly thereafter.
Selected students are expected to attend all scheduled programming and activities on the CU Boulder campus on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 including the performance at the end of the day, open to the public. Parents are responsible for transportation, lodging and supervision at all other times.
Rehearsals and performances will take place at the University of Colorado Boulder. Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 7. The Thompson Honor Jazz Ensemble will rehearse, participate in an improv workshop and jam sessions from approximately 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on and will perform a concert in Imig S134 that evening. Lunch will be provided.
Check back for results.
Auditions are open to all Colorado student musicians grades 9-12. Auditions are online only. The ensemble will consist of the following instrumentation: 5 saxophones (alto/alto/tenor/tenor/baritone), 5 trumpets, 4 trombones (3 tenor/1 bass trombone), guitar, piano, bass and drums. Vocalists, violinists and percussionists (vibraphone) are welcome to audition for an optional spot.
Record one student per file, and just one file per student. Do not alter the recording in any way.
Students should record their audition on video, upload it as an unlisted video to YouTube or another video-hosting platform, and submit the link.
Winds (saxophones, trumpets, trombones), strings* (violin, cello, viola), vibraphone* and vocalists*:
- “Au Privave”—Charlie Parker
- Use an audible play-along track of your choice
- Play the head twice followed by 2-3 choruses of improvisation.
*Instrumentation for the Thompson Honor Jazz Ensemble will be determined based on the needs of the ensemble. Auditioning on these instruments does not guarantee that a position will be available.
Piano + guitar
- “Au Privave”—Charlie Parker
- Use an audible play-along track of your choice
- Play the head once followed by 1 chorus of comping and 1-2 choruses of improvisation.
Please note: Rhythm section players should eliminate their auditioning instrument for play-along tracks, e.g., piano players should channel out the recorded piano part from the recorded play-along.
Bass
- “Au Privave”—Charlie Parker (acoustic bass preferred)
- Play the head once followed by 1 chorus of walking and 1-2 choruses of improvisation.
Please note: Rhythm section players should eliminate their instrument when using play-along tracks.
Drum set
- “Au Privave”—Charlie Parker
- Play “Au Privave” head unaccompanied without a metronome (tempo 160-190 BPM)
- Play first chorus as if you are accompanying a small ensemble
- Second chorus solo
- Afro-Cuban or Brazilian style of your choice, 32 bars AABA form (play time for 16 bars, solo for 8 bars, play time for 8 bars)
Au Privave Play-Along Track (includes Piano Trio, No Piano and No Bass versions)
Students should record their audition on video, upload it as an unlisted video to YouTube or another video-hosting platform, and submit the link.