McGill.CA / Music / Ensembles / Ensemble Auditions

Jazz Ensembles Auditions

*All jazz majors and students in BMus admitted on jazz instruments must complete both auditions with an asterisk.

Jazz Orchestra/Chamber Jazz Auditions

These auditions are for participation in:

  • JAZZ ORCHESTRAS - 
    MUEN 595 001 -     McGill Jazz Orchestra 1
    MUEN 595 Jazz Ensembles 2 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

     
    MUEN 595 002 - McGill Jazz Orchestra 2
    MUEN 595 Jazz Ensembles 2 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer


    MUEN 595 003  Chamber Jazz Ensemble 2
    MUEN 595 Jazz Ensembles 2 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer


    MUEN 595 004 Chamber Jazz Ensemble 3
    MUEN 595 Jazz Ensembles 2 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

  • CHAMBER JAZZ 
    MUEN 592 Chamber Jazz Ensemble 2 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

Audition Instructions:

  • All jazz majors must audition.
  • Complete the online audition sign-up form found here
  • Sign-up for an audition time on the board across from C-209
  • Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.

Audition Material:

  • Horns: Sight reading; short improvisation over blues or rhythm changes.
  • Rhythm section: Sight reading; comping; short improvisation over blues or rhythm changes; for drummers, all basic grooves at various tempos.
  • Voice: Sight reading; one a capella standard

Audition Schedule 2021

  • Monday, August 30 from 9:00 – 19:00 in C-304 (Rhythm section: bass, guitar, piano, drums)
  • Tuesday, August 31 from 9:00 – 17:00 in C-304 (Horns)
  • Wednesday, September 1 from 9:00-12:00 in C-309 and 1:00-5:00 in C-304 (Voice, including Jazz Choir, Jazz Voice – Orchestra, Chamber Jazz)

Auditions are 10 minutes in length.

Vocal Jazz Auditions

These auditions are for participation in:

  • Jazz Vocal Workshop -

    MUEN 563 Jazz Vocal Workshop 2 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

Audition Instructions:

  • Complete the online audition sign-up form found here

  • Sign-up for an audition time on the board across from C-209.

  • Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.

Audition date/time:

  • Wednesday, September 1 from 9:00-12:00 in C-309 and 1:00-5:00 in C-304 (combined with vocal auditions for Jazz Orchestra and Chamber Jazz)

Audition Materials:

  • An a cappella song of your choice, preferably a jazz standard. A selection from outside of the jazz genre may be chosen as long as it exhibits an interesting melody that highlights your range and rhythmic capabilities.
  • You may also be asked to sight read one or two short, simple melodies in varying ranges of your voice.

 

*Previous jazz vocal interpretation/improvising as well as jazz choir (or other) experience is an asset but not a requirement for this ensemble.

Jazz Combo Auditions

These auditions are for participation in:

  • JAZZ COMBOS –
    MUEN 570 Jazz Combo 1 Credits
      Offered in the:
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Summer

Audition Information:

Due to covid-19 restrictions, Jazz Combo Auditions will not be held in person in Fall 2021. Returning students are responsible for forming their own groups. First-year students will be placed in a combo for the Fall 2021 semester.

Audition Date/Time
Undergraduate Audition

  • Date / Time / Location: n/a

Graduate Audition

  • Date / Time / Location: n/a

Audition Material:

  • All the Things You Are
  • Major and Minor Blues
  • Blue Bossa
  • Green Dolphin Street
  • Autumn Leaves
  • Rhythm Changes

 

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