*Please note that this page is for semesterly ensemble auditions. If you are looking for School of Music admission auditions, please visit this webpage.*
Jazz Chamber Ensemble (Combo) Audition Information
JMU Jazz Chamber Ens. (combo) Auditions, Fall 2024
Date, Location, Time TBD
All students interested in playing in a spring semester combo must audition (in person)
- Bass and guitar amps will be provided (bring a cable); a vocal amp and mic will be provided
- Combos perform at Clementine Thursday nights between 7:00-9:00 pm. You must be available, in general, at this time (occasional conflicts with performances by other JMU ensembles are okay). If you have an ongoing Thursday evening schedule conflict, you cannot participate in combos.
- Do not register for the class (MUAP 355) until combo rosters have been posted. Everyone placed into a combo must be registered.
Contact Prof. Dotas (chuckdotas@mac.com) with questions.
Audition Process
Have your spring semester schedule available on your device, including your ensembles and (if possible) applied lesson time.
- Each fall semester 2024 combo will play one piece (something you played last semester, that everyone in the group knows); this is the audition for returning students.
- Students will be called up from the audience to play a simple blues; this is the audition for new students.
- JMU Jazz Faculty will assign students to combos
Ensemble Audition Information
Fall 2024 Jazz Ensemble/Jazz Band Audition Information
NOTE: Do not register for either ensemble until rosters have been determined and posted.
Below are the audition excerpts and other essential information for the auditions:
Written Audition Excerpt/Improvisation Information
Instrumentalists:
- All wind instruments:
- TBD
- Piano, vibes, guitar, bass:
- TBD
- Drums:
- TBD
Vocalists:
- TBD
Audition Excerpts (COMING SOON)
- Flute excerpt
- Alto Sax excerpt*
- Tenor Sax/Bb Soprano Clarinet/Lead Trumpet excerpt*
- Section trumpet excerpt¹
- Trombone/Euphonium/Bassoon excerpt²
- Bass Trombone/Tuba excerpt
- Piano/Guitar/Vibes excerpt (drummers, you will use this excerpt for your audition as well)
- Double Bass excerpt
- Voice excerpt
*Saxophonists may audition on alto, tenor, or bari sax. You may end up being placed on a different saxophone part, depending on the needs of the ensemble.
¹Trumpet players not auditioning for a lead chair should prepare the Section Trumpet part.
²All tenor trombones prepare the trombone part; there is no separate lead trombone excerpt.
If you play an instrument other than what's listed above, email Chuck Dotas for audition materials: dotascj@jmu.edu.
If you would like to be considered for more than one spot (i.e.: voice and piano, two different wind instruments, etc), please prepare an audition for each part and sign up for two audition times (they can be back-to-back, or not, whichever you prefer).
Audition Excerpt Backing Track/Reference Recording Links
COMING SOON
Semester Schedules
Jazz Ensemble Rehearsals, Music Building Room 108:
Monday - 5:20-6:10pm (or 5:40-6:30*)
Tuesday/Thursday - 3:55-5:10pm
Jazz Band Rehearsals, Forbes Center (Roberts) Room 1115:
Tuesday/Thursday - 3:55-5:10pm
*if no conflicts exist with students' class schedules
Jazz Band/Ensemble Spring Concert Schedule (TBD)
