Jazz Auditions

Winter 2025 auditions will be conducted in the NMU Band Room (TFA 252) on Monday, January 13 from 11am-2pm, and Wednesday, January 15 from 12noon-1pm 

Please click HERE to sign up for an audition slot.

Audition Requirements

All Instruments
  1. Scales: All 12 major scales (one octave) around the circle of 4ths + a chromatic scale through the range of your instrument.  Scales should be played in eighth notes at a minimum tempo of quarter note=100.  Please play the scales straight (i.e. Don't swing!). In lieu of scales, drummers will be asked to play several different grooves in various tempos. Styles will include (but will not necessarily be limited to) swing, bossa, samba, funk, & different brush techniques.
  2. Prepared Piece: Click HERE to download the Audition Etude for your instrument. Please be prepared to perform bars 1-32.
  3. Sight Reading and Improvisation: A short excerpt will be provided at the audition.
Vocalists

You will be expected to perform a jazz standard of your own choice (be prepared to sing this piece both on your own and/or with accompaniment - I will provide a recorded accompaniment).  You will also be asked to improvise (scat) for one chorus of a 12-bar blues (with recorded accompaniment).