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The
Minnesota Youth Jazz Bands will hold auditions for our 2010/2011
season during August of 2010. Each audition will last
about 20 minutes. You will be notified approximately two weeks
prior to your audition date of your audition time.
Please be aware that joining the Minnesota Youth
Jazz Bands is a full school year commitment. You
will be expected to attend all rehearsals and concerts
(a limited number of excused absences is OK), and
to spend whatever time is necessary to practice and
learn all of your music. We'll have a lot of fun,
and part of that fun will come from having high expectations
and standards. However, we encourage all interested
musicians to audition, regardless of ability. We
may be able to organize one or more additional bands
to accommodate those committed musicians that are
not accepted into the top bands.
Apply now
for the 2010/2011 season
Placement in the bands will be determined by playing
ability and commitment. The musical factors we will
consider include tone, intonation, technique, rhythmic
accuracy, reading ability, and musicality. In addition,
some (but not all) positions will require some proficiency
in jazz improvisation.
Audition material for each instrument is as follows:
All instruments (except drums):
1. Music
Approximately one page of unaccompanied,
written out jazz music of your choice. Bring an extra copy.
- Chosen from material such as jazz etudes, lead sheets, portions
of jazz band or combo music, transcribed solos, etc.
- The intent is
to demonstrate your technique, phrasing, sense of rhythm, musicality,
control of your instrument, tone, etc.
2. Sight Reading
Sight reading selections that will
be provided to you at the audition.
3. Improvisation (Optional)
Jazz improvising (soloing) is not required
to audition, but is encouraged.
- Optional: Improvising on the blues in a key of your choice.
- Optional: Improvising on one other song of your choice (bring two
copies of a lead sheet)
Rhythm Section Players
Piano, bass, and guitar players should
also bring one or two jazz songs that they are comfortable comping
on – (playing
the chord changes as background for a soloist). Bring two copies of
the lead sheets.
Drums:
1. Rhythmic styles
Be prepared to play time and to solo in a variety of rhythmic
styles, including some or all of these:
- Jazz swing (using sticks & brushes)
- Bossa Nova
- Samba
- Waltz (using sticks & brushes)
- Jazz rock
- Shuffle
2. Music
Approximately one page of written out exercises of your choice, taken from books
such as Jim Chapin's “Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer”, Ted Reed's “Progressive
Steps to Syncopation”, or similar material. Please bring an extra copy.
3. Jazz Charts
One big band jazz chart drum part of your choice. Please bring an extra copy.
4. Sight Reading
Sight reading material which will be provided to you at the audition.
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