FALL 2023 AUDITIONS: MSU Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Jazz Combo
Dr. Todd E. Hill - Professor of Music, Murray State University
DOWNLOAD AUDITION MUSIC HERE
SPRING 2024 AUDITIONS: MSU Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Jazz Combo
Dr. Todd E. Hill - Professor of Music, Murray State University
The excerpts for SPRING 2024 MSU JAZZ AUDITIONS are available HERE
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: thill@murraystate.edu
THE MSU JAZZ ORCHESTRA The Jazz Orchestra meets MTWR at 3:30pm, and we have open
spots for Baritone Sax (audition with any sax) and Bass Trombone (audition with any
trombone)! These spots are open because the group is performing at KMEA on February 8, and
we are touring the day before. A fantastic experience for you!
THE MSU JAZZ BAND meets MWR at 2:30pm. All positions in this great group are presently
open, so audition!
THE JAZZ COMBOS are made up depending on how many persons are interested in
participating, and the meeting times vary considerably according to availabilities. If you wish to
be considered for a combo, you must indicate that when you submit your audition video. Just
use the Jazz Band music to do so.
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 thill@murraystate.edu anytime before midnight on
Thursday, January 18, 2024. 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.
Your audition music is posted HERE
There are parts for saxophone (all flavors are the same for this), trumpet, trombone, bass
trombone, piano, guitar, bass, and drums. There is a part for vibes as well! Even if you’ve NEVER
done jazz before – step up and get involved – You WILL have a good time!
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 I always attempt to stay abreast of your OTHER CLASS LOAD
and adjust accordingly for us. You will NOT be overloaded in MSU JAZZ ENSEMBLES. The Jazz
Orchestra will have their KMEA concert plus the QUAD STATE CONCERT and all the groups will
participate in our jazz festival and the SWING INTO SPRING concert in April.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME WONDERFUL TIMES THIS SPRING!!!!!