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.
Ensemble Audition Schedule
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.