Honor Jazz Band

SCHEDULE – OMEA DISTRICT XIII

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Honor Jazz Band auditions will take place on the same day and at the same location as the Honor Band auditions. If selected to an Honor Jazz Band, a student must be able to attend all dates and times or he/she will forfeit his/her book to an alternate. If you are unable to attend any event or any part of an event listed below, please do not audition. All events listed below will be held at Lakota East High School Main Campus (6840 Lakota Lane, Liberty Twp, OH 45044).

Tuesday, January 4, 2011 – Registration (5:30pm) and read-through rehearsal (6:00pm-8:00pm)
Friday, January 7, 2011 – rehearsal (6:00pm-9:00pm)
Saturday, January 8, 2011 – rehearsal (9:00am-4:00pm)
Sunday, January 9, 2011 – sound check (1:30pm) and concert (2:30pm)

AUDITION INSTRUMENTS

Students may audition on up to two instruments; however, students may not audition on two wind instruments. For example, a student may audition on the trumpet and the piano, but a student may not audition on the trumpet and the trombone.

AUDITION MATERIALS

Wind Musicians (trumpet, trombone, saxophone):
1. Scales: Each student will audition by playing one of the major scales (as selected by the judge) listed in the honor band audition requirements. Students in grades 9-12 should use the high school scale list. Junior high students should use the 8th grade scale list. High school students should also prepare a chromatic scale as follows: Begin on low Concert Bb and ascend to your highest note and then descend to your lowest note). Junior high students will not play a chromatic scale.
2. Etudes: Each high school student will play the melody of “Ornithology”. Junior high students will play the melody of “Take the „A‟ Train”. These etudes can be obtained from the student‟s band director.
3. Sight reading: Each student will perform sight reading material.
4. Improvising: Each high school student will be asked to improvise over a blues in concert F, along with a rhythm section on a CD, for two choruses (24 measures). Junior High students are encouraged to participate in the improvisation portion of the audition, but this portion is optional for junior high students and any junior high student who chooses not to improvise will not be penalized. Students who choose to improvise will play along with a rhythm section on a CD playing a blues in concert Bb for one chorus (12 measures). Again, high school students will improvise on a blues in concert F. Junior High students may choose to improvise on a blues in concert Bb.

Rhythm Section Musicians (piano, guitar, bass, percussion):
High School
1. Scales: Each student will play one major scales (as selected by the judge). Percussionists are required to play the selected major scale vibraphone. All students should be prepared to play concert F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, E, A, D, G, and C major scales in one octave (hands together, two octaves for pianists).
2. Etudes: Pianists, guitarists, and bassists should be prepared to play the melody of “Ornithology.” Guitarists and pianists should also comp, and bassists should walk on the chord changes of the “SOLOS” section of “Ornithology” High School drum set musicians should play “Drums Latin Etude #1”.
3. Drum set musicians should be prepared to demonstrate a variety of styles, including swing (fast, medium, and slow), shuffle, rock, a Latin groove of the musician‟s choice, funk, and a ballad with brushes.
4. Sight reading: Each student will perform sight reading material.
5. Improvising: Each high school student will be asked to improvise over a blues in concert F, along with a rhythm section on a CD (no CD for drum set), for two choruses (24 measures).

Junior High
1. Scales: Each student will play one major scale (as selected by the judge). Percussionists are required to play the selected major scale on vibraphone. All students should be prepared to play concert F, Bb, Eb, and C major scales in one octave (hands together for pianists – one or two octaves).
2. Etudes: Pianists, guitarists, and bassists should play the melody of “Take the „A‟ Train”. Guitarists, pianists, and bassists should also play the provided sheet music for “Take the „A‟ Train,” which will allow pianists and guitarists to show their comping and chording abilities while bassists show their walking ability. Drum set musicians should play the provided “Tenor Madness” sheet music.
3. Drum set musicians should also be prepared to demonstrate a variety of styles, including swing, rock, a Latin groove of the musician‟s choice, and a ballad with brushes.
4. Sight reading: Each student will perform sight reading material.
5. Junior High students are encouraged to participate in the improvisation portion of the audition, but this portion is optional for junior high students and any junior high student who chooses not to improvise will not be penalized. Students who choose to improvise will play along with a rhythm section on a CD over a blues in concert Bb (no CD for drum set), for one chorus (12 measures).

Vocalists (High School ONLY):

Each Vocalist should prepare two jazz standards in contrasting style (for example, one swing and one ballad). Auditions must be performed by memory and without accompaniment. Any high school student may audition as a vocalist as long as the total number of parts within the group for which the student auditions is not greater than two.

Please contact your band director if you have any questions concerning the audition process. Good luck!
Sincerely, Mr. Todd Hartman, Mr. Jack Conway, and Mr. Dave Thomas
OMEA District XIII Honor Jazz Chairmen