Auditions for the Jazz Program
The following positions are open. Apply today!
- Big Band, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble: Trumpets and Trombones
MYA Jazz Ensemble
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Prepared Pieces: Students are asked to prepare the selected required audition pieces. In addition, they should bring a prepared piece of their choice which demonstrates technique, tone, intonation, and overall musicianship. “Play-a-longs” are acceptable, and students should bring all necessary CDs with them. Students should be prepared to audition with no accompaniment.
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Scales: Students should prepare all 12 major scales (memorization is preferred but not required).
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Improvisation: Students will be asked to improvise over Bb rhythm changes in addition to F blues(optional).
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Sight-Reading: The audition concludes with sight-reading.
- Note:
Drummers should demonstrate swing and latin (bossa nova, samba, mambo) rhythms with fills every 4 or 8 bars at the discretion of the auditioner.
Guitarists and Pianists should demonstrate ability to ready chord charts.
Bassists may be asked to demonstrate their ability to construct bass lines from chord symbols (optional).
MYA Jazz Orchestra
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Prepared Pieces: Students are asked to prepare the selected required audition piece. In addition, students should bring a prepared piece of their choice which demonstrates technique, tone, intonation, and overall musicianship. “Play-a-longs” with improvisation are encouraged, and students should bring all necessary CDs with them. Students should be prepared to audition with no accompaniment.
-
Scales: In addition, students should prepare all 12 major scales by memory. Optional: students may be asked to play dorian and mixolydian scales.
-
Improvisation: Students will be asked to improvise over Now’s The Time (F Blues).
-
Sight-Reading: The audition concludes with sight-reading.
- Note:
Drummers should demonstrate swing and latin (bossa nova, samba, mambo, and afro-cuban) rhythms with fills every 4 or 8 bars.
Guitarists and Pianists should demonstrate ability to ready chord charts.
Bassists may be asked to demonstrate their ability to construct bass lines from chord symbols.
MYA Big Band
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Prepared Pieces: Students are asked to prepare the required audition piece. In addition, students should bring a prepared piece of their choice that they are comfortable with (in a jazz context) which demonstrates technique, tone, intonation, and overall musicianship. “Play-a-longs” with improvisation are encouraged, and students should bring all necessary CDs with them. Students should be prepared to audition without accompaniment.
-
Scales: In addition, students should prepare all 12 major scales from memory. Optional: students may be asked to play dorian and mixolydian scales.
-
Improvisation: Students will be asked to improvise over Now’s The Time (F Blues).
-
Sight-Reading: The audition concludes with sight-reading.
-
Note:
Drummers should demonstrate swing and latin rhythms with fills every 4 or 8 bars at the discretion of the auditioner.
Guitarists should demonstrate ability to ready chord charts and single line melodies.
Trumpet and Trombone players should be prepared to demonstrate their range on a concert B flat major scale.
Saxophonists should be prepared to demonstrate any “doubling” ability on flute, clarinet, etc.
MYA Jazz Combos
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Prepared Pieces: Students should prepare a jazz etude of their choice that they are comfortable with which demonstrates technique, tone, intonation, and overall musicianship. Student will audition without accompaniment.
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Scales: Students should prepare all 12 major, minor, dorian, and mixolydian scales and arpeggios (1-3-5-7).
-
Improvisation: Students will be asked to improvise over Bb rhythm changes in addition to F blues.
-
Sight-Reading: The audition concludes with sight-reading melodies and chord changes.
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Note:
Guitarists should demonstrate ability to ready chord charts and single line melodies.
Drummers should demonstrate the following:
- Medium Swing feel
- Up-tempo swing
- Latin feel
- Ballad with brushes
- Play 6/8 or 3/4 feel
