Fall 2024 Jazz Ensembles Audition Materials

Jazz Ensemble Audition Criteria Fall 2024

Auditions for all ensembles, (Jazz Ensembles, Repertory Ensembles and/or Jazz combos) will be on Sunday, August 18th. All auditions will be conducted in person. Brass & saxophones auditions will be from 12pm-3:30pm pm in room 335 and rhythm auditions will most likely be from 12-5pm in room 310. Rhythm faculty will confirm this closer to audition day. Audition sign-up sheets will be posted on the door of rm 310 around the 12th of August.

Jazz Ensembles rehearse at the following times:

  • Jazz Ensemble: MW 11-11:50 F 11- 12:30pm
  • Jazz Lab I: TR 6-7:40pm
  • Jazz Lab II: TR 3- 4:40pm Contemporary Ensemble: TR 3- 4:40pm
  • Guitar Ensemble: Rehearsal Day/ Time TBD

The jazz ensembles are open to all students of the University. Non- jazz students interested in auditioning should contact any of the faculty listed below for audition materials and audition times. Fall 24 audition materials will also be available online on the UofL jazz studies site. (jazz.louisville.edu) on 7/29/24.

Jazz Ensemble Auditions will consist of the following:

For wind players:

1. Prepared Piece

2. Improvising over a tune of your choice*

3. Improvising over a tune of our choice*

4. Sight Reading *

(Improvisation is not required for placement, but will definitely enhance higher placement)

Piano/Guitar/Bass:

In addition to the above requirements, keyboard players, guitarists, and bass players will be asked to demonstrate as appropriate, comping skills, time keeping, knowledge of chord changes, and bass line creation skills.

Drums:

In addition to sight reading and soloing skill, drummers will be asked to demonstrate the ability to play a number of different styles (including swing, bossa nova, samba, funk, jazz/rock, and odd meter) at a variety of tempi. Time keeping, style definition, and filling capability will be evaluated during this process.

 

UofL Jazz Faculty:

David Clark, Director of Jazz Studies
Jazz Sax, Jazz Repertoire, Jazz Lab

Ansyn Banks
Jazz Ensemble I, Combos, Jazz Trumpet, Jazz Styles & Analysis, Jazz Improvisation I & II

Chris Fitzgerald
Jazz Bass, Combos, Jazz Theory, Improvisation

Gabe Evens
Jazz Lab, Jazz Piano, Jazz Arranging, Combos

Marlin McKay
Jazz History, Pedagogy, & Methods

Terry O’Mahoney
Drum Set

Craig Wagner
Jazz Guitar, Guitar Ensemble, Combos

 

Audition Materials 

Bass Bone Prep Piece Fall 2024

Lead Trumpet Prep Piece Fall 2024

Drum Set Prep Piece Fall 2024

Saxophone Prep Piece Fall 2024

Section Trumpet Prep Piece Fall 2024

Trombone Prep Piece Fall 2024

Guitar Prep Piece Fall 2024

Piano Prep Piece Fall 2024

Upright Bass Prep Piece Fall 2024