Jazz Ensemble Auditions
Mt. Hood Community College
Auditions for the Mt. Hood CC Jazz Band are scheduled individually but must take place before the end of the first week of Fall Term. Members do not need to reaudition at the start of each term unless there is a new seat to be filled. Please contact Dan Davey, the Director of Jazz Studies, at [email protected] with any questions.
Audition Requirements:
Click here to access the PDF Audition Packet.
Jazz candidates should be prepared to:
Enclosed Etudes:
Range Check – Play your “C” scale starting on the low C and going as high as you are capable of (horns only).
Lead Trumpet / Bass Trombone - Brass may elect to prepare the optional Lead Trumpet or Bass Trombone etudes for consideration.
Sight-Reading – Candidates will be asked to sight read written lines. Drummer will be expected to provide the appropriate time feel as well as set-ups and kicks.
Drummers should demonstrate abilities to play various styles, including medium swing, up-tempo swing, ballad (with brushes), funk, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban, including appropriate fills in each style.
Guitarists/pianists should demonstrate comping abilities.
Bassists should demonstrate ability to walk a bass line through chord changes in medium swing, up-tempo swing, ballad, and straight-eighth/latin.
Resources:
Mixolydian Scales:
Dorian Scales:
Resources for Drum Set:
Items to bring to your Jazz Audition:
Items we will provide for your Jazz Audition:
Mt. Hood Community College
Auditions for the Mt. Hood CC Jazz Band are scheduled individually but must take place before the end of the first week of Fall Term. Members do not need to reaudition at the start of each term unless there is a new seat to be filled. Please contact Dan Davey, the Director of Jazz Studies, at [email protected] with any questions.
Audition Requirements:
Click here to access the PDF Audition Packet.
Jazz candidates should be prepared to:
- Horns: Perform the three excerpts from the enclosed packet of varying styles.
- Drummers: Perform the enclosed Drum Audition Etude in a medium swing style.
- Perform one additional piece of the candidate’s choice that best displays tone and technique.
- Students are expected to demonstrate jazz phrasing and articulation.
- Students will be asked to demonstrate improvisational skills using a blues tune/key of your choosing (1-2 choruses depending on length).
Enclosed Etudes:
- Swing Excerpt #1(Rob Tapper)
- Ballad Excerpt #2 (Rob Tapper)
- Latin/Straight 8th Excerpt #3 (Rob Tapper)
- Rhythm Section Etude (Steve Owen) – piano, guitar, vibes, bass
- Drum Audition Etude (Dan Davey)
Range Check – Play your “C” scale starting on the low C and going as high as you are capable of (horns only).
Lead Trumpet / Bass Trombone - Brass may elect to prepare the optional Lead Trumpet or Bass Trombone etudes for consideration.
Sight-Reading – Candidates will be asked to sight read written lines. Drummer will be expected to provide the appropriate time feel as well as set-ups and kicks.
Drummers should demonstrate abilities to play various styles, including medium swing, up-tempo swing, ballad (with brushes), funk, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban, including appropriate fills in each style.
Guitarists/pianists should demonstrate comping abilities.
Bassists should demonstrate ability to walk a bass line through chord changes in medium swing, up-tempo swing, ballad, and straight-eighth/latin.
Resources:
Mixolydian Scales:
Dorian Scales:
Resources for Drum Set:
- Musical Fills
- Drumstick, Cymbal & Stick Selection
- Instrument Setup & Fundamental Techniques
- Latin Drum Set
- Brush Techniques
- Ensemble Playing
Items to bring to your Jazz Audition:
- Your instrument
- Drummers: sticks, brushes
- Guitarists/Bassists: your own cable
Items we will provide for your Jazz Audition:
- Amplifiers
- Drum Set
- Piano
- Stereo System