Audition to Play Jazz at UIndy

Do you play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, drums, or vibraphone? Join the UIndy Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos!

Auditions are held on the Friday before classes start.

Never Played Jazz Before?

If you have never played jazz before but are interested in playing in a jazz ensemble, reach out to Mark O’Connor (oconnorm@uindy.edu) for more info. These auditions are mainly for placement in one of the UIndy jazz ensembles.

We’ve got an exciting year coming up for all groups! Throughout the year, these groups get to play with world-class jazz musicians from the Midwest and across the nation!

Audition Requirements

 

Saxophones, trumpets, and trombones

  1. A completed information form (available at the audition).
  2. Locate your instruments’ UIndy Jazz Audition Music, listen to the audition pieces (listening links located in the audition music folder), and perform specific passages from the music (determined at the audition).
  3. Improvise (optional, but preferred) on blues in Bb or F concert, or "Rhythm Changes" in Bb concert. You may also improvise on the chord changes to a standard jazz tune if you wish. A play-along track will be provided.

 

Rhythm section: piano, guitar, vibes, bass, drums*

  1. A completed information form (available at the audition). 
  2. Locate your instruments’ UIndy Jazz Audition Music, listen to the audition pieces (listening links located in the audition music folder), and perform specific passages from the music (determined at the audition).

  3. Improvisation (Optional): Bb/F blues or Bb Rhythm changes. You may also improvise on the chord changes to a standard jazz tune if you wish. A play-along track will be provided. Play-alongs provided.

  4. Piano: Be prepared to play the melody of "Amen" in the right hand while comping in the left hand. Also, be prepared to play your part from the big band charts and comp over Bb/F blues or Bb Rhythm Changes.

  5. Guitar/Vibes: Be prepared to play the melody of "Amen." Also, be prepared to play your part from the big band charts and comp over Bb/F blues or Bb Rhythm Changes.

  6. Bass: Be prepared to play the melody of "Amen." Also, be prepared to play your part from the big band charts and play Swing, Ballad, and Bossa Nova or Samba grooves.

  7. Drums: Be prepared to play the melody of "Amen" on the drum set while keeping time. Also, be prepared to play your part from the big band charts and play Swing, Ballad, and Bossa Nova or Samba grooves.

*Note: Bassists and guitarists must bring their own patch cords. Amps will be provided.
Vibraphonists must bring mallets. A vibraphone will be provided.
Drummers must bring sticks and brushes. A drum set will be provided.

 

Vocalists

  1. A completed information form (available at the audition).
  2. Please bring a song to sing in the jazz style. Jazz standards are preferred.

Audition Sheet Music

Download Audition sheet Music for your instrument

If you need an accessible version of the music sheets, please contact Mark O'Connor (oconnorm@uindy.edu)

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