2017
In score order:
Saxophone Friday, August 25, 2017 from 9 AM - 6 PM in room 330
Trumpet August 25 and 26, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. in room 353
Trombone Saturday, August 26, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Music Annex 118
Piano Friday and Saturday, August 25 and 26 in room 272
Guitar New freshmen and transfer guitar auditions Thursday August 24 from 10:00- 4:00 in room 277
Returning guitar auditions Friday August 25 from 10:00- 5:00 and Saturday, August 26 from 11:00-5:00 in room 277
Bass Thursday, August 24 from 10 AM – 12 PM and Friday, August 25 from 10 AM – 12 PM in room 279
Drum set Drum set sight reading auditions will be held Friday, August 25 in room 133. The sign-up sheet for audition times will be posted on the bulletin board next to 133 on August 22.
If you are a Jazz Studies major who has not fulfilled his/her ensemble credits you must take the sight-reading audition.
If you have fulfilled your credits but wish to be considered for a Lab Band or other Jazz Ensemble you also must take this audition.
Auditions with bands will be held Tuesday, August 29 through Thursday, August 31.
Voice Jazz Singers holding section: MULB 1820.500.
For audition information, see the vocal jazz ensemble auditions page
For questions, contact: Professor Jennifer Barnes: Jennifer.Barnes@unt.edu
Bass Auditions
Jazz lab auditions take place each semester the week prior to the start of classes. They consist of sight-reading typical big band charts: reading notes, walking bass lines and soloing. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the door of Lynn Seaton's office, room 279 in the Music Building. Bring both acoustic and electric basses if you play both. Bring a cable for the electric bass. Please be prepared to play (instruments out of the case and tuned) ten minutes before your scheduled audition time.
Drumset Auditions
To be eligible for jazz ensemble auditions drummers must have the ability to sight read and interpret representative drum parts from the ensemble literature. Sight reading examinations are usually given the week before classes begin of each long semester. Sign up sheets for the examination and further information are posted on the percussion bulletin board across from the percussion office (room 131) a week before the examination date.
Guitar Auditions
Guitarists will perform a live audition before classes begin for ensemble and lesson or master class placement. This will focus on sight reading of both lines and chord changes and improvising.
Jazz Piano Auditions
Students should prepare a selection of their own choice (ideally a well-known jazz standard). Also, each student will be asked to play a standard tune (on sight) with a play-along recording. Finally, you will be expected to voice chords using typical inversions, and read from both chord symbols and written notes.
Zebras Auditions: Students must first complete their regular Jazz Lab audition before attempting a Zebras audition.
1) Keyboards: The audition requires the use of a synthesizer and will measure the student's understanding of electronic idioms. Sight reading of intricate note passages and improvisational skills will be assessed.
2) Rhythm section and horns: Pending the repertoire and horn line-up for each semester, lab band auditioners will recommend a number of qualified horn players to audition. They will perform a final audition during the first week of classes during the regular Zebras rehearsal time (T/TH 11AM in room 263).
Saxophone Auditions
Sign-up sheets are located on the door of Brad Leali's office. Please be warmed up and ready to play at your designated time. Reading auditions are accomplished with a metronome (everyone has the same tempo). There will be four musical examples of different styles and difficulty. We rate the tone quality, rhythmic reading, note reading and stylistic conception for each piece.
Reading audition results will be posted Monday morning on the lab band bulletin board. Saxophone section call-back auditions will be Monday at 1:00 pm in Kenton Hall; approximately 20 saxophonists. Saxophone jazz improvisation call back auditions will be Monday evening in Lab Band East, room 263 (time to be announced later; approximately 20 saxophonists).
Trombone Auditions
The trombone auditions on that day will consist of sight reading. The pieces will be chosen for bass trombone or lead trombone, and you will each be asked to read two to three pieces of different styles from the UNT Jazz Library.
At the end of your audition, you may also be assigned to take part in a general improvisation audition and/or a "call back" improvisation audition designed specifically for upper Lab Band spots.
Trumpet Auditions
Lab Band trumpet auditions are used to place students into section and/or lead positions in the Lab Bands, Jazz Repertory Lab, Electronic Keyboard Lab, and Jazz Singers. The audition will consist of sight-reading music in a variety of styles. These may include a ballad, a swing tune (medium to fast), and a latin or rock tune. Students auditioning for lead chairs will play music which may be written above a high Eb (concert pitch).
At a later time (usually Sunday evening preceding the first day of classes) students with expertise in improvisation will audition for jazz chair placement. This audition consists of improvising at sight over chord changes in a variety of styles and tempos. Students may sign-up for a jazz chair audition at room 353. Students should be prepared to play (warmed up with instrument assembled) ten minutes before their scheduled audition time.