The excerpts for SPRING 2023 MSU JAZZ AUDITIONS are available by CLICKING THIS LINK
SPRING 2023 AUDITIONS: MSU Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Jazz Combo
Dr. Todd E. Hill - Professor of Music, Murray State University
The excerpts for SPRING 2023 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: thill@murraystate.edu
THE MSU JAZZ ORCHESTRA The Jazz Orchestra meets MTWR at 3:30pm, and we sometimes break out into sectional days. The Jazz Band meets MWR 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. I hope to offer JAZZ IMPROVISATION CLASS (at least one) this semester as well – sort of an organized jazz session where we learn the elements of creating music spontaneously on a scaffold of scales and harmonic structures. (And it's really fun, too!)
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 from Thursday January 5 until 9pm on Thursday, January 19, 2023. Make sure to keep the recording short at the beginning and end – and use a metronome! 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 at THIS LINK
There are parts for saxophone (all flavors are the same for this), trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, piano, guitar, bass, and drums. Latin percussion should just utilize the drum set part to improvise an appropriate part. This is a CLASSIC big band arrangement by Sammy Nestico – “The Magic Flea” and it was recorded on Count Basie’s album STRAIGHT AHEAD. The key signature is the same throughout – Just “old-school” writing style that doesn’t follow through on each staff. I strongly recommend that you listen to this recording to understand the tempo designation “MOOCHO FASTO.” You don’t have to be exactly this fast, but cleanliness and tempo taken will count on your audition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywZgCAhDtys
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.