Jazz ensembles enrollment

Thompson Jazz Studies Program

Jazz ensembles 

The College of Music’s Thompson Jazz Studies Program is excited to invite jazz majors, all music majors and non-music majors alike to audition for the program’s large jazz ensembles. Large jazz ensembles meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30-5 p.m., in the Imig Music Building.

Both ensembles will feature the standard large jazz ensemble (big band) format of 5 saxophones/4 trombones/4 trumpets/guitar/piano/bass/drums. Instrumentalists outside of this standard instrumentation (e.g. string players) are still encouraged to audition if interested. For information about auditions for vocal jazz ensemble, please reach out to Lecturer Jocelyn Medina at jocelyn.medina@colorado.edu.
 
Jazz Composers’ Orchestra

The Jazz Composers’ Orchestra, the premier ensemble, is directed by Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies Annie Booth and will explore cutting-edge contemporary jazz composition through featuring original works by students, faculty and alumni.

The Concert Jazz Ensemble (CJE), directed by Lecturer Paul Romaine, will explore the breadth and depth of large jazz ensemble repertoire—from the swing era to the modern day—focusing on ensemble performance and individual improvisational expression. 

Fall 2026 jazz ensemble audition signup

Fall 2026 audition schedule

Monday, Aug. 17
Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone—10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Rhythm Section (guitar, piano, vibes, bass, drums, violin)—10 a.m.-2:10 p.m.
 
Tuesday, Aug. 18
Rhythm Section (guitar, piano, vibes, bass, drums, violin)—10 a.m.-2:10 p.m.
 
Auditions will last ~7-9 minutes. Students should prepare the appropriate written étude on their instrument and improvise four (4) choruses on a concert Bb blues, medium swing tempo. A backing track will be provided in auditions.
 
 
Questions? Contact Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies Annie Booth at annie.booth@colorado.edu.
Questions? Contact Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies Annie Booth at annie.booth@colorado.edu.