Ensembles
The
Oregon Jazz Ensemble (OJE)
U.O. Jazz Ensembles II & III
Small Jazz Ensembles (SJE) I -XIII
Jazz Guitar Ensemble
Ensemble Auditions
Ensemble Eligibility
The
Oregon Jazz Ensemble (OJE)
MUJ 392/692
1:00 - 1:50 MWF
Steve Owen, director
 The
Oregon Jazz Ensemble is the premier large jazz ensemble at the University
of Oregon. Recognized throughout the nation for its excellence in interpretation
and performance of the wide variety of styles of music associated with
the jazz genre, the OJE regularly performs new literature for jazz ensemble
including works by internationally renowned composers/arrangers as well
as students of the UO jazz program. In addition to its concerts on campus,
the OJE is a frequent performer at jazz festivals and educational conferences,
including the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference,
Oregon Music Educators Conference, the Northwest MENC Conference, Western
International Band Conference, Kent-Meridian Jazz Festival, Reno Jazz
Festival , Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and other regional events.
Performing with the OJE in recent years have been a host of jazz artists
including: James Moody, Randy Brecker, Peter Erskine, Dick Oatts, Jon
Faddis, Rufus Reid, Billy Pierce, Conrad Herwig, Jim Snidero, David
Scott, Maria Schneider, Paul Mazzio, and David Pietro.
Jazz Ensembles II, Jazz Ensemble III
MUJ 391/691, MUJ 390/690
12:00 - 12:50 MWF, 2:00 - 2:50 MWF
Like the OJE, Jazz Ensembles II and III offer exciting playing opportunities
to our students while training them to be solid performers of the musical
styles associated with jazz. UO Jazz Ensembles perform regularly on
and off campus including formal concerts each term as well as participation
in the Oregon Jazz Celebration and at regional jazz festivals. As with
all of the jazz ensembles, membership is open to all UO full-time and
continuing education students by audition.
Small Jazz Ensembles (SJE) I-VIII)
MUJ 395/695
Two one-hour rehearsals each week
Mike Denny, coordinator
Small jazz ensembles are at the center of the jazz curriculum at the
School of Music. They offer serious students a place for honing improvisation
skills in ensembles that examine both standard jazz repertoire as well
as original and transcribed material. Ensembles are coached by faculty
and graduate teaching fellows. The curriculum focuses on performance
techniques, improvisational methods, theory, and styles associated with
the jazz idiom.
Jazz Guitar Ensemble
MUS 394/694
One-hour rehearsal each week
Mike Denny, director
3:00 - 3:50 F
The guitar ensemble places an emphasis on sight-reading, cohesive ensemble playing, and improvisation. Literature is comprised of published arrangements for an ensmble of five guitars. Original compositions and arrangements are encourared. Each term there is at least one public performance.
Ensemble Auditions
Fall Term - Auditions for the UO jazz ensembles are held during the
week PRIOR to the first full week of classes each Fall term. These auditions
are used to place students in both big bands and combos. Students auditioning
for ensembles in the fall need not re-audition in Winter or Spring terms.
See the Jazz Calendar for specific dates.
Winter
and Spring Terms - Prior to the beginning of both Winter and
Spring terms Open Chair Auditions are announced to fill ensemble vacancies.
Open Chair Auditions are held the term before the vacancies occur during
Dead Week. See the Jazz Calendar for specific dates.
Instrumental
Audition Format (Big Bands and Combos) - Jazz ensemble
auditions for instrumentalists include the following:
a) sight-reading - of notated lines and chord symbols (where appropriate)
b) improvisation - all auditioners are asked to improvise over a
blues. You may be asked to improvise over additional jazz standards
if you wish to occupy a jazz chair in one of the big bands or to perform
in a combo.
c) call-back auditions - we may ask that you come back at a later
time for "call-backs" to get a better feel for how you play.
d) drummers - in addition, drummers are asked to demonstrate basic beats for common jazz styles (swing, latin, funk, etc.)
Audition Hints:
Be Prepared - Those who practice through the summer months generally
fare the best at Fall auditions. Take time each day to practice sight-reading
and improvising as well as any other music that you may be working
on.
Focus on Time and Rhythm when Sight-Reading - Few musicians will perform
flawlessly while sight-reading, but the better players will not miss
rhythms and will play with a strong time feel throughout. Isolating
rhythms, practicing with a metronome, and continuing to play to the
end of selections without stopping strengthen sight-reading skills.
Keep Things in Perspective - It's just an audition. While we use these
auditions to initially create our ensembles, we have many opportunities
to hear you and get to know how you play. We never hesitate to move
a student into a more appropriate ensemble once we get to know more
of their musical abilities.
Relax - Easier said than done. It's good to know that for most musicians
this audition will not be their shining musical moment. We know this.
While we are listening for how well you sight-read and handle the musical
moment, we are equally interested in other elements of your playing...sound,
intonation, rhythmic feel, and dynamics.
Ensemble Eligibility
U.O. jazz ensembles are open to all University of Oregon students
(including Part-time and Continuing Education students) by audition
regardless of major. However, limited enrollment may restrict the number
of students placed with preference given to full-time students and/or
jazz majors.
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