Who Can Audition?

Eligible Students:

• Students in grades 9-12

• Enrolled in a school jazz band or instrumental music program

• Students from Central Arkansas (and surrounding areas) schools.

Instruments Accepted:

• Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, Bari)

• Trumpet

• Trombone (Tenor, Bass)

• Piano

• Guitar

• Bass

• Drums

*Limited Spots per instrument*

Audition Requirements

What You Need to Submit:

• Online Student Application

• Video Audition Recording

• Band Director/Sponsor Verification

Audition Recording Guidelines:

• No editing permitted

• Recorded within the current audition window

• Student must be clearly visible and audible

• Must be video (phone recordings are acceptable)

• File name must have your first/last name

Band Director Verification:

As part of the audition process, a brief verification will be requested from the student's band director confirming:

• The student is currently enrolled in their program

• The audition recording represents the student's authentic performance

• The director supports the student's participation if selected

*It is encouraged to allow your directors to listen to your recording before you submit*

Audition Materials

*All Instruments except Drums*

Scales:

• Play one major scale of your choice. Scales must be at least 2 octaves and played at a minimum of 85bpm in 8th notes.

• Play one blues scale of your choice. Scales must be at least 2 octaves and played at a minimum of 85bpm in 8th notes.

PREPARED PIECES

• Please prepare the head of Billie's Bounce by Charlie Parker, followed immediately by a two chorus solo, then play the head again using the appropriate backing track below.

• Lead Sheets and Backing Tracks for Billie’s Bounce can be found HERE

• Please select a jazz standard from this list. Play the head, followed immediately by a one chorus solo. (backing tracks are not required):

  1. All The Things You Are

  2. Misty

  3. Autumn Leaves

  4. Doxy

  5. St. Thomas

  6. Straight, No Chaser

  7. Nica's Dream

  8. Spain

  9. Tenor Madness

  10. Yardbird Suite

  11. Joy Spring

  12. Au Privave

  13. All Blues

  14. Footprints

  15. There Will Never Be Another You

*Audition Materials for Drums*

PREPARED PIECES

• Fast swing (200 bpm) — play 16 bars of time followed by 8 bar solo

• Bossa Nova (108 bpm) — play 16 bars of time

• Funk/Fusion Groove — play 16 bars of time

• Please select a jazz standard from this list to demonstrate Time/Style - Play a minimal of 16 bars, followed immediately by a 8 bar solo. (backing tracks are not required):

  1. All The Things You Are

  2. Misty

  3. Autumn Leaves

  4. Doxy

  5. St. Thomas

  6. Straight, No Chaser

  7. Nica's Dream

  8. Spain

  9. Tenor Madness

  10. Yardbird Suite

  11. Joy Spring

  12. Au Privave

  13. All Blues

  14. Footprints

  15. There Will Never Be Another You

Important Dates

Auditions Open: August 3rd

Auditions Deadline: September 25th

Selection Notifications Sent: October

*Repertoire will be sent once attendance is confirmed*

Rehearsals: At least once a month between November-April.

Final Performance: April

*Dates/Times will be sent once attendance is confirmed; It is important that you note these dates for your availability*