Jazz Auditions

Any student (regardless of major) interested in playing in the UWM Jazz Ensemble, Afro-Caribbean Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Standards Combo or Jazz Repertoire Combo.

Provided

• Bass amp
• Guitar amp
• Drum set and cymbals
• Congas, bongos, and timbales
• Vibraphone
• Grand piano
• Music stands
• Acoustic bass (if needed)
• PA system with one microphone
• Play-along tracks for Billie’s Bounce and Solar (for instrumentalists) and Darn That Dream and There Will Never Be Another You (for vocalists).

Bring your own

• Guitar
• ¼-inch cord
• Drumsticks, brushes, mallets
• Horn or string instrument
• Steelpan

Please see the audition charts below for your specific requirements.

• Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Piano, Guitar, Bass, Vibes, Flute, Clarinet, Euphonium, Tuba, Steelpan, Violin, Viola, Cello
  • Two-octave scales, ascending and descending:
    • Concert C minor
    • Concert F major
    • Concert E♭ major
    • Concert D♭ major
    • Concert F Blues scale
  • Sight reading (provided at audition)
  • Melody and improvisation over two choruses for either Billie’s Bounce or Solar.
  • The audition play-along tracks for instrumental auditions will be using iRealPro. Students may choose to purchase this program to practice for the audition.
• Drumset
  • Demonstrate several jazz styles: Swing, Bebop, Post Bop, Modern, Brushes
  • Styles: Afro-Cuban 6/8 feel, Songo, Mambo, Salsa, Samba, Bossa Nova, Funk, Rock and Jazz Fusion
  • Odd meters 3/4, 5/4, 7/4
  • Trading 4s, 8s, or a 12-bar blues
  • Sight reading (provided at audition)
  • Play Walking About
  • Play Bemsha Swing
• Latin Percussion
  • Congas: Basic tumbao patterns
  • Bongos: Basic martillo patterns
  • Timbales: Basic cascara patterns
• Vocalists
  • Sing the melody for Darn That Dream (ballad, BPM=60-65).
  • Sing the melody and improvise (scat) two or more choruses for There Will Never Be Another You (up-tempo, BPM=200-220).
  • Sight reading (provided at audition)
  • The audition play-along tracks for vocal auditions will be using iRealPro. Students may choose to purchase this program to practice for the audition.

Ensemble assignments will be posted on the Jazz bulletin board next to Room 150 in the UWM Music Building on Tuesday, September 1.

No. The fall audition should determine your ensemble assignment(s) for the academic year.

However, additional auditions for the spring semester may be held to accommodate new students coming into the ensembles.

Rehearsal for all jazz ensembles are held in the UWM Music Building, Room 150. Ensemble meeting times will be the same for the Fall and Spring semesters.

Students must hold all ensemble meeting times open in their course schedule until ensemble assignments have been determined. After that, you must register for the appropriate ensemble course number below:  

• Jazz Ensemble (MUS 271-801): T/Th, 4:00–5:45 p.m.
  • First rehearsal: Thursday, September 3.
• Afro-Caribbean Jazz Orchestra (MUS 402-801): T,5:45–7:00 p.m.
  • First rehearsal: Tuesday, September 8.
• Jazz Standards Combo (MUS 402-801): W,4:00–5:00 p.m.
  • First rehearsal: Wednesday, September 2.
• Jazz Repertoire Combo (MUS 402-801): W,5:10–6:10 p.m.
  • First rehearsal: Wednesday, September 2.