SPRING 2025 AUDITIONS: MSU Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Jazz Combo
Dr. Todd E. Hill - Professor of Music, Murray State University
DOWNLOAD MUSIC HERE
The excerpts for SPRING 2025 MSU JAZZ AUDITIONS are available at murraystatebands.com now! Go to AUDITIONS and scroll down to find all information. Audition material is short, and you will submit a video recording to me via email: [email protected]
THE MSU JAZZ ORCHESTRA is our premier organization and meets MWF at 1:30pm and R at 4:00pm. The MSU JAZZ BAND meets MWF at 2:30pm. Jazz Combos are made up depending on how many persons are interested in participating, and the meeting times vary considerably according to availabilities, but as of right now BLUE COMBO will meet at 2:00pm R, and the GOLD COMBO will meet at 3:30 F.
AUDITIONS will be by video recording. Yep, that’s right. Take as many times as you desire! You're just showing how much you want the chair by the strength of your submission. You will be able to submit your recording to me at [email protected] anytime from NOW until 3:00pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2025. Make sure to keep the recording short at the beginning and end – and use a metronome while you’re playing! LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: Recording yourself, practicing for professional auditions (many are done this way now), self-evaluation, self-discipline in preparation.
There are parts for saxophones (alto, tenor and baritone), trumpet, trombone/bass trombone, piano, guitar, bass, drums, and vibes. Even if you’ve NEVER done jazz before – step up and get involved – You will be glad you did!
CLASS ACTIVITIES/SCHEDULE We will have many opportunities to make music in a variety of settings. Sectionals (in class time) and other activities. LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: Chamber-sized section rehearsals, independent practice, improvisation, score study, live concerts, presentations.
Creating a great learning environment is our top priority. Get your music ready and audition! Nothing to be afraid of here, and we always attempt to stay abreast of your OTHER CLASS LOAD and adjust accordingly for us. You will NOT be overloaded in MSU JAZZ ENSEMBLES. THERE ARE NO EXTRA REHEARSALS or SECTIONALS OUTSIDE OF CLASS TIME The Jazz Orchestra will have their Quad State Concert plus Swing into Spring and the MSU Jamey Aebersold Jazz Festival. The Jazz Band and Jazz Combo(s) will have the Jazz Festival, plus Swing into Spring concert, the combos will have their own concert during Swing into Spring. The Blue Combo will have Senior Breakfast as well, which helps to fun the entire program.
The audition selection for all except the vibraphone is a beautiful arrangement of “I Have Dreamed,” a beautiful standard that came from a Broadway show. I have indicated 94bpm on the PDF for you. Make sure to see whether your part is on one page or spread out over more.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME WONDERFUL TIMES THIS SPRING!