Jazz Auditions

Note: This page has been updated on August 6, 2024. If you consulted this page before that date, you were viewing Fall 2023 audition materials and info, and will need to instead prepare the updated audition materials listed below and take note of the new audition days/times for Fall 2024.

2024-25 Instrumental Jazz and Commercial Music Auditions

Click here for Vocal Jazz Audition Info

Auditions Overview

The KU Jazz Program has three Jazz Ensembles, 10-12 Jazz and Pop/ Commercial Music Combos, two Vocal Jazz Ensembles. All KU Jazz Instrumental and Vocal Ensembles and Combos are open to ALL students, regardless of major

Auditions are held at the beginning of fall semester for placement in Jazz Ensembles and Jazz and Commercial Music combos. All students must audition to be placed in an ensemble or combo. Ensemble placements are for the entire academic year; if any ensemble members need to change to a different ensemble or drop out between semester, a separate ensemble audition procedure will be announced in November to fill these spots for spring semester.

Jazz Ensembles (big bands) meet as follows:

Jazz Ensemble I (Dan Gailey, director)—T/Th, 11:00 AM-12:45 PM—Murphy 114
Jazz Ensemble II (Drew Williams, director)—M/W/F, 11:00-11:50 AM—Murphy 114
Jazz Ensemble III (David Dayoub, director)—M/W/F, 10:00-10:50 AM—Murphy 114

Jazz and Commercial Music Combo directors are Matt Otto, Brandon Draper, Eddie Moore, Tetsuya Nishiyama, Ryan Davis and Drew Williams.

Audition results/ensemble rosters will be sent via email and posted on the bulletin board outside of Murphy 122 no later than Wednesday, August 28 at 7:00 PM CDT. Rehearsals begin on Thursday, August 29.

Everyone must enroll in the appropriate class for the ensemble they are placed in. You have the option of enrolling for 1 credit hour or 0 credit hour per ensemble:

Jazz Ensembles—enroll in JAZZ 408 (undergrads) or JAZZ 708 (grad students)
Jazz and Commercial Music Combos—enroll in JAZZ 409 (undergrads) or JAZZ 709 (grad students)

You may enroll before auditions, and after results are posted you may make a switch to the correct section during the online drop/add period. No permission codes are necessary for ensemble or combo enrollment.

Audition Procedure

Sign up for an audition time on the bulletin board outside of 122 Murphy Hall anytime starting Monday, August 7. Please sign up using your KU ID NUMBER ONLY.

Audition Times

Monday, August 26

1:00-3:30 PM—Saxophones

3:30-4:30 PM—Existing combos (see note regarding existing combos)

Tuesday, August 27

10:30 AM-1:00 PM—Drums

2:30-5:00 PM—Trumpets

Wednesday, August 28

10:00 AM-12:00 PM—Trombones

12:30-1:30 PM—Existing combos (see note regarding existing combos)

2:00-5:00 PM—Piano, Guitar and Bass

Before your audition

Please fill out the online KU Instrumental Jazz and Commercial Music Audition Form.

Do not list your KU ID number anywhere on the Audition Form, as this will help preserve anonymity for auditions.
A limited number of existing combos/small ensembles will be allowed to audition for assignment to a faculty member under the JAZZ 409/709 class heading. These groups should sign up in the “Existing combos” time slots, using the KU ID number of one of the group’s members. Satisfactory proficiency, as determined solely by the Audition Panel, must be demonstrated by an existing combo to be considered for placement within JAZZ 409/709. Faculty instructors will also be determined solely by the Audition Panel.
When it is time for your audition, please check in first with the Audition Proctor outside of Murphy 114—please try to be here at least 10 minutes before your scheduled audition time.
Auditions are done blind, with the exception of Existing Combos auditions. You will be escorted in and out of the audition room by the Audition Proctor.
Leave ALL instrument cases in the hallway—do not assemble/tear down instruments in the audition room.

Auditions will consist of the following:

Jazz Auditions

Play the prepared piece for your instrument (without backing track).
- Piano and guitar — play the melody with repeat as written, then comp chord changes in time for one chorus.
- Bass — play the melody with repeat as written, then play a walking bass line in time for one chorus.
- Drums — play the provided prepared piece as if you were playing it with a big band.
- All others — play the written melody only (with repeat as written).
Sight-reading chosen by the audition panel
Improvisation with a backing track—required for all jazz combo personnel except drummers, and for all solo chairs in big bands; optional for all others in big bands. “Si Si” is the default piece for the improvisation part of the audition, and “Stella by Starlight” is the advanced improvisation audition. Those wishing to audition for a solo chair in Jazz Ensemble I or an upper level jazz combo should prepare both “Si Si” and “Stella by Starlight”; all others may prepare “Si Si” only. In all cases, auditions will consist of 1-2 choruses of improvised solo with the appropriate backing track.

Drums will not do the improvisation portion of the audition, but will instead be asked to demonstrate the following styles/grooves: Medium swing, fast swing (bebop), bossa nova, samba, jazz waltz, brushes (medium swing)

Commercial Music Auditions

Auditionees should prepare 2-3 very short excerpts of their choosing that demonstrate their skills on a particular instrument or combination of instruments and/or as a vocalist. Examples of this might include any combination of the following:

Playing a solo on your instrument, or singing a popular tune with a backing track
Playing the bass line or drum set part from a rock, pop, funk and/or hip-hop tune (with our without accompaniment)
Showcasing your improvisation skills on an instrument, preferably with a backing track
Rapping or singing along with an original accompaniment you’ve created in a digital audio workstation
Any other type of very short performance excerpt that showcases your fluency in pop/commercial genres
DRUMMERS — an audition set with cymbals will be provided. You must bring your own sticks and brushes to your audition.
BASS and GUITAR — amps will be provided for your audition. You must bring your own patch cord to your audition.

Guitarists, pianists, bassists and vocalists: play along with one song of your choosing by one of the following artists, using either the original recording or a backing track that you provide on your phone: