NDSU Jazz Ensemble Auditions

MUSC 311, Section 1, Jazz Ensemble – 12:30-1:45 p.m.
MUSC 311, Section 2, Jazz Lab Band – 2:00-3:15 p.m.

Auditions will consist of two parts:

1. On Tuesday, August 26, the Rhythm section AND horn players will meet in the new rehearsal room and form a “reading” band to audition both the horns in sections and rhythm players. Saxophones who play multiple saxophones may want to bring altos, tenors, and baritone. Dr. Patnode will bring NDSU baritone saxophones at the audition with a couple of mouthpieces.

2. On Thursday, August 28, horn players will audition individually for the applied Professor of that instrument. This audition will consist of “Sweet Georgia” audition excerpt with backing track, sight reading, and Bb blues improvisation.

Individual Auditions

Individual auditions will occur on Thursday afternoon. Audition sign-up times will be posted on the Professor’s door. Please contact your applied Professor the first week of classes (not in the summer) for an audition time for Thursday, August 28.

Trombones: Connor Challey, connor.challey@ndsu.edu

Trumpets: Dr. Jeremy Brekke, jeremy.brekke@ndsu.edu

Saxophones: Dr. Matthew Patnode, matthew.patnode@ndsu.edu

All excerpts and backing tracks can be found here:

Excerpts and Backing Tracks

Saxophones:

Please prepare the first chorus of the attached etude “Sweet Georgia” with the play along from the Google drive linked above. Print off your correct etude of Alto/Baritone (pages 1-2) or Tenor (pages 3-4). This etude is based on the standard “Sweet Georgia Brown.” You will perform with a recorded backing track. There will also be some sight reading, and improvise on a Bb Blues (your choice of head/melody).

Trumpets:

Please prepare the first chorus of the etude “Sweet Georgia” with the play along from the Google drive linked above. This etude is based on the standard “Sweet Georgia Brown.” You will perform with a recorded backing track.

Trombones:

Please prepare the first chorus of the attached etude “Sweet Georgia” with the play along from the Google drive linked above. This etude is based on the standard “Sweet Georgia Brown.” You will perform with a recorded backing track.

Rhythm Section:

For the Rhythm Section, we will meet on August 26 at 12:30 (Jazz Ensemble) and 2:00 (Jazz Lab Band) in the new rehearsal space. The horn sections will be there reading so the rhythm players can play the parts selected below. We may have a “callback” time on Thursday, August 28, to hear rhythm players individually.

Selections for Rhythm Section:

“Such Sweet Thunder” by Duke Ellington. Please print off your part for your instrument. As a band, we will play from the beginning up thru measure 62. Piano and guitar comping can be of your own interpretation. You will want to check out the recording of this arrangement
“Feelin’ The Funk” by Erik Morales. This is a “Rock/Boogaloo” groove. Please print off your part for your instrument. Play as written up to measure 64.
“Mueve Los Huesos” by Gordon Goodwin. Please print off your part for your instrument. This is a Latin Samba groove. Play up to measure 51.

Audition Results

Audition results will be posted the afternoon of August 29. The first rehearsals will begin on September 2.

If you have questions please contact Matthew.Patnode@ndsu.edu or Jeremy.Brekke@ndsu.edu. Thank you for your interest in NDSU Jazz! Good luck!