Jazz Ensemble Audition Information 2009-10

JAZZ ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS FOR 2009-2010 ARE COMPLETE.  PLEASE WATCH THIS PAGE FOR 2010-2011 AUDITIONS.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO SIGN UP:

Auditions for the Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble and both Jazz Lab Ensembles will all be held on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 in IRR beginning at 6PM.  All players interested in performing in a jazz ensemble this year are required to sign up to audition at the following web address:

(website)

More information about your specific audition time will be emailed to you before August 26th.

Note: This year there will only be one evening of auditions, comprising both section playing and improvisation.

WHAT TO PREPARE:

Please prepare the head to Charlie Parker's "Relaxin' at Camarillo" to play solo.  Download the sheet music for your instrument here:

• Relaxin' at Camarillo Eb (Alto or Bari Sax)
• Relaxin' at Camarillo C (Guitar or Piano)
• Relaxin' at Camarillo Bb (Tenor sax or trumpet)
• Relaxin' at Camarillo Bb (in a lower octave, if the trumpet part is too high)
• Relaxin' at Camarillo Bass Clef
• Relaxin' at Camarillo Bass Clef (in a lower octave)

As a reference, click below to download an MP3 recording of the tune, as played by Charlie Parker.  (You do not need to play it this fast.  Pick a comfortable tempo for the audition):

• Relaxin' at Camarillo MP3

Additionally, you will also be sight-reading a short selection along with your section.

FOR IMPROVISERS:

If you improvise, you will play the "Relaxin' at Camarillo" excerpt, sight read with your section, AND additionally will improvise on the song "What Is This Thing Called Love."  Download the leadsheet here:

• What Is This Thing Called Love - Concert key (treble clef)
• What Is This Thing Called Love - Eb
• What Is This Thing Called Love - Bb
• What Is This Thing Called Love - Concert key (bass clef)

ADDITIONAL AUDITION INFORMATION FOR DRUMMERS:

Please bring sticks, and brushes.  (I will have extras if needed).  Drum set, music stand  and cymbals are provided

Part One – Time Feel/Grooves
1.    Medium Swing Time Feel with Sticks.  Quarter note = approx. 132
2.    Medium Swing Time Feel with Brushes.  Quarter note = approx. 112
3.    Bossa Nova with sticks and/or brush.  Quarter note = approx.  144
4.    Samba with sticks.  Half  note = 112
5.    Funk/Rock.  Quarter note = 138
6.    Jazz Ballad with brushes.  Quarter note = 66
7.    Mambo/Cuban beat.  Half note = 96

For the above examples focus is on the groove and time feel NOT soloing .  Feel free to put in fills, and musical phrasing though.  For example, play at least 8 bars of simple time/groove then open it up and if possible, play some phrases with your left hand/bass drum while keeping time and then maybe play a musical fill at the end of the next 8 bars.  Or think of the above but in a 12 bar blues context.


Part Two - Prepared Example
This is wide open.  Play a short (2-3 minutes maximum) solo, etude, example from a book, or play the “head” of a tune and some time feel.  Or you could just play free and improvise.  This is your chance to show your strengths, passion, and giftedness.

Part Three – Sight Reading
You will be asked to sight read two examples from the fall Jazz Band repertoire.  You will be given the drum chart and I will select a small section of the chart. I will give you the tempo to play it at and  you will have 1 minute to look it over.