SwHS Jazz Big Bands

Zero Hour (7:00am - 8:00am)

Jazz I requires an audition for all chairs. Jazz II requires an audition for Rhythm section only. Big

Bands meet Tuesday and Thursday for ensemble rehearsal. Additional sectional rehearsals will take

place as needed. The Jazz I Big Band will be directed by Mr. Greg Lewis with assistance from Mr.

Needleman. Jazz II is directed by Mr. Needleman. Rehearsals begin in early September. Students are

expected to be prepared and on time to all rehearsals. Students are expected to communicate an

absence prior to class. A pattern of attendance problems may result in removal from ensemble. Class

will start at 7:00.

All chairs require an audition for Jazz I. All chairs are open. Students must sign-up for an

audition (sign-up sheet will be posted near Mr. Wixson’s office). Results will be posted on the jazz

website.

Audition Details

Auditions will be made of 4 parts and scored on attached rubric.

1. Scales, 2. Prepared Material, 3. Sight Reading, 4. Improvisation.

Scales: Major, Chromatic, Modes and Altered

● Be prepared to perform several Major Scales from memory.

● Play a Chromatic scale the range of your instrument.

Improvisation: Improvise 2 chorus over the F Blues. Recording is provided.

Sight Reading: a short excerpt in a big band jazz style. You’ll be given one minute to look it

over before you’re asked to perform.

Prepared Material: http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/jazz

Rhythm Section: Guitar & Piano - Play the chart as written. You will also be asked to improvise

voicings and comping pattern.

Bass - will be asked to demonstrate an ability to read the written line as well as “walk”

chord changes.

Drums - demonstrate rhythmic and “groove” competency in the following musical

styles: Swing, Brushes, Funk, Rock, Bossa Nova, Samba, 12/8 Afro-Cuban, Mambo.

Name: Instrument:

7 - 8 5 - 6 3 - 4 1 - 2

Scales

plays each note accurately,

and covers the full range of

instrument

misses 1 or 2 notes, covers

the full range of instrument

misses several notes, plays

much of the range of

instrument

misses many notes, plays a

small range of the

instrument

Tone plays with a full, rich,

characteristic tone

plays with a characteristic

tone

exhibits some flaws in

production, ie thin tone, or

forced sound

exhibits many production

flaws, and is not

characteristic of the

instrument

Intonation accurate throughout all

ranges and registers

accurate, yet may miss

adjustments on some notes

has a basic sense of

intonation, yet makes no

attempt to adjust pitch

not accurate, plays out of

tune

Excerpt

Melody &

Style

plays all pitches accurately plays most pitches

accurately

plays many pitches

inaccurately

plays numerous inaccurate

pitches

Excerpt

Rhythmic

Accuracy

plays with accurate rhythms

throughout

plays nearly accurate

rhythms, lacks some

precision in patterns

plays many rhythms

accurately, lacks precision in

some patterns

plays many patterns

incorrectly or inconsistently

Sight Read

Melody &

Style

plays all pitches accurately plays most pitches

accurately

plays many pitches

inaccurately

plays numerous inaccurate

pitches

Sight Read

Rhythmic

Accuracy

plays with accurate rhythms

throughout

plays nearly accurate

rhythms, lacks some

precision in patterns

plays many rhythms

accurately, lacks precision in

some patterns

plays many patterns

incorrectly or inconsistently

Improvisation

Form / Harmony / Creativity / General Comments on Approach

Recommendation Jazz One Jazz One / Jazz Too

Could use some extra

work for J1.

Jazz Too

Needs more work before J1

Jazz Too

Needs a lot more work

before being accepted into

jazz one

DO NOT PLAYTHIS PAGE IS FOR REFERENCE ONLY

DO NOT PLAYTHIS PAGE IS FOR REFERENCE ONLY