Brigham Young University - Idaho

Audition dates:

Winter 2014: TBD

Spring 2013:
- April 22 Saxophone, Trumpet
- April 23 Rhythm Section

Fall 2013: TBD

All interested BYU-Idaho students are invited to participate in the jazz program regardless of major.

Postings:

• Saxophone: sign-up and audition, Snow 282G
• Trumpet: sign-up and audition, Snow 282D
• Trombone: sign-up and audition, Snow 282E
• Trumpet: sign-up Snow 282D, audition Snow 181 (large rehearsal hall)
• Rhythm Instruments: sign-up Snow 252, audition Snow 182
• Combos: sign-up Snow 252, audition Snow 182
• Vocal: click here for Vocal Union audition information

Audition Information

1. Jazz auditions will be held on the day before the first day of classes each semester.
   Contact Ryan Nielsen with questions regarding Combo auditions.

2. Brass and saxophone students auditioning for classical and jazz ensembles should sign-up for two audition times unless otherwise specified.

3. Rhythm (piano, bass, drums, guitar) auditions will be held in the percussion suite (Snow 182).

4. Auditions are approximately 10 minutes in duration. Be on time, have your instrument out and ready (drum set and amps provided for rhythm players).

5. Materials (saxophone, trumpet, and trombone).
   
   

   1. Prepared composition: You must provide your own materials. Select a composition that best represents your technique, ability to perform jazz style, and musicality. Examples: a solo from a book of transcriptions, a transcription you have done yourself, a significant soli from a big band chart, a jazz standard (preferably bebop) with improvisation using a play-a-long CD, a substantial jazz etude, etc.

   2. 24-hour composition: The selection is available in the following locations: Snow 282G (saxophone), 282D (trumpet) and 282E (trombone). It is intended that you take a minimum of two practice sessions to prepare this work: one the day prior to your scheduled audition and one the day of the audition. This is the "equalizer" providing the same material for all auditions and a means to demonstrate how quickly you learn.

   3. Sight-reading: Materials to be provided by auditioner during the scheduled audition.

   4. Scales, arpeggios, and patterns: Be prepared to demonstrate all scales, arpeggios, and patterns learned at your present level of development.

   5. Improvisation: Students who have no experience with improvisation will not be expected to improvise. If you have developed this skill and improvisation was not incorporated into your prepared piece, you should expect to solo on a B-flat blues or other selection. You may provide your own material.

6. Materials (Rhythm Section Instruments)
   
   

   1. Prepared jazz composition: You must provide your own materials. Select a composition that best represents your technique, ability to perform jazz style, and musicality. Examples: a solo from a book of transcriptions, a transcription you have done yourself, a jazz standard (preferably bebop) with improvisation using a play-a-long CD, a substantial jazz etude, or other material appropriate to your instrumental area's discipline.

   2. Styles: Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge and ability to perform swing (including mainstream, shuffle, swing era, jazz waltz, ballad), rock (funk, fusion, rock ballad), and Latin (samba, bossa nova, salsa, afro-cuban) at various tempos within a set form such as blues or AABA (material will be provided for clarification at the audition).

   3. Sight-reading: Materials to be provided by the auditioner during the scheduled audition. (Lead sheets and big band charts.)

   4. Improvisation: Students who have no experience with improvisation will not be expected to improvise. If you have developed this skill and improvisation was not incorporated into your prepared piece, you should expect to solo on a B-flat blues or other selection. You may provide your own material according to your instrumental area's discipline.