All jazz majors and any other students interested in participating in a jazz ensemble must complete an audition. Your audition will determine your placement in combos and big bands (JO/JE/U-Jazz).
Saxophone, trombone and trumpet players will sign up for an individual audition time. Rhythm players will sign up for a block of time.
Music will be provided for sight-reading – lead sheet of standard or common jazz tune. Improvisation over the progression in the sight-reading examples may be expected as well.
Drummers will be given excerpt of big band drum part to demonstrate ability to read hits and play appropriate fills/set-ups.
Individual auditions will take place within your applied studio and will be used in determining combo placement and will assist in big band placement (Jazz Orchestra/Jazz Ensemble). Jazz majors must participate in these auditions. Others who are auditioning for big band only may opt out of the individual audition and attend the group big band audition detailed below.
For the individual audition, you will be asked to demonstrate:
Your audition will consist of:
Demonstration of Swing, Bossa Nova, Samba, Jazz Waltz, Jazz Ballad, Funk, ECM, Afro-Cuban and Mambo.
Perform and improvise to backing tracks over jazz standards in AABA form and 12-Bar Blues forms.
Assigned piece and sight reading.
Instrument | Date | Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Saxophone | Tuesday, August 29 | 1-3:30 p.m. | Music Building 109 |
Brass | Tuesday, August 29 | 10 a.m.-noon | Music Building 122 |
Guitar | Tuesday, August 29 | 1-4 p.m. | Music Building 105 |
Piano | Monday, August 28 | 10 a.m.-noon | Music Building 143 |
Bass | Wednesday, August 30 | Noon-2 p.m. | Music Building 473 |
Drums | Tuesday, August 29 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Music Building 111 |
Big band auditions will be held on Tuesday, August 29 from 4 to 5:50 p.m. and will continue on Wednesday, August 30 from 2 to 3:50 p.m. in Music Building 158.
Students will audition in various configurations on different parts (lead parts, second, third, etc.) and will be required to play the posted music excerpts. Music will also be provided for sight-reading and each student will read a minimum of two charts. Improvisation over the progression in the sight-reading examples will be expected as well. Students will be expected to improvise on the blues form (Bb, F, Db medium and up tempo) and “rhythm” changes form (Bb, up tempo).
Big bands meet at the following times:
Results will be posted no later than the end of the first week and announced (if possible) at the first Jazz Convocation, Wednesday, August 30 at 4:30pm. (location TBA)
Contact Reggie Thomas at reggiethomas@niu.edu.
Ensemble | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
NIU Jazz Orchestra | Monday/Wednesday | 2-3:50 p.m. |
Jazz Ensemble | Tuesday/Thursday | 4-5:50 p.m. |
University Jazz Band | Monday/Wednesday | 5:40-7:20 p.m. |
MUSE 324/624: Jazz Combos | Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday | 1-1:50 p.m. |
(Section 3) Jazztet | Monday/Wednesday | 11-11:50 a.m. |
Music Building
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - noon
1 - 4:30 p.m.
815-753-1551
music@niu.edu
Austyn V. Menk
Music Admissions Coordinator
815-753-6306
avmenk@niu.edu