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Jazz Placement Auditions

Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Band II, Lab Jazz Band III, and Small Groups.

Welcome from Jazz Director

Welcome to the UM Jazz Program! We are excited to have you be a part of all the wonderful experiences provided by one of the most vibrant jazz programs in the Northwest. The UM Jazz Program has 3 Big Bands along with 6-7 Small Groups so there is a place for you no matter your level or experience. Give it a try!

Some of the 2024-25 opportunities include the UM/Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival, frequent guest artists, Holiday Swing, Spring Break Northwest Tour, the UM Jazz Artist Series, Small Group Performances, Recordings, and so many more exciting concerts and experiences throughout the year.

Please sign up for Jazz Placement outside Room 111 BEFORE AUGUST 23rd.  If you need a hard copy of the placement materials, please download the files below or contact Rob Tapper. 

There is a MANDATORY meeting for ALL Jazz Participants on MONDAY, AUGUST 26th @ 1:00pm in Music Building Room 1 to answer all questions and discuss the year! PLEASE SIGN UP FOR YOUR SMALL GROUPS & BIG BANDS OUTSIDE OF ROOM 111 BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 23rd.

If you have any questions about auditions, the program, or the School of Music, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Here we go!
 
Looking forward,
 
Rob Tapper
Director of Jazz Studies
robert.tapper@umontana.edu

Audition Times

Sign-up for Jazz Placement outside MUS 111 before August 23th, 2024. 

If you can not make these times or have questions, please see Rob Tapper as soon as possible.

Informational Meeting

Big Bands

Small Groups

Audition Excerpts

Horns (saxophone, trumpet, trombone) should prepare all 'like' instrument parts. (Example: Tenor should prepare both tenor parts; trombones should prepare all parts; etc...)

Try to find recordings of this music online!

Jazz Big Bands

Saxophones: (Try as many different parts as possible)

• Moon & Sand - J to L (Quarter note = 160)
• Blues for Alice (head) - Play in comfortable octave (1x)
• Improvisation - B♭ Blues (concert)
• *If needed: Solo/Transcription - Your choice no more than 2 minutes

Trombones: (Try as many different parts as possible)

• Moon & Sand - J to L (Quarter note = 160)
• Blues for Alice (head) - Play in comfortable octave (1x)
• Improvisation - B♭ Blues (concert)
• *If needed: Solo/Transcription - Your choice no more than 2 minutes

Trumpets: (Try as many different parts as possible)

• Moon & Sand - J to L (Quarter note = 160)
• Blues for Alice (head) - Play in comfortable octave (1x)
• Improvisation - B♭ Blues (concert)
• *If needed: Solo/Transcription - Your choice no more than 2 minutes

Bass/Piano/Guitar/Vibes:

• Moon & Sand - J to M (Quarter note = 160)
• Blues for Alice (head) - Play in comfortable octave (1x)
• Improvisation - B♭ Blues (concert)
• *If needed: Solo/Transcription - Your choice no more than 2 minutes

Drum Set: (Should also prepare Vibes)

• Moon & Sand - J to M (Quarter note = 160)
• Blues for Alice (head on set)
• Styles/Trading - You will be asked to play multiple styles and trade-off
• *If needed: Solo/Transcription - Your choice no more than 2 minutes

I'm looking forward to hearing all of you!

Jazz Small Groups

Friday, August 30th | 1:00pm | Room 1

* Auditions for new members only.  Returning members and those auditioning for big bands DO NOT audition.

** Returning members don't need to audition; sign-up on Rob's door (Room 111).

Please be ready to play ONE of the following tunes AND BLUES HEAD (listed below) from memory.

• A Train
• Blue Bossa
• Recordame
• There Will Never Be Another You

*There will be a maximum of 6-7 Small Groups coached by faculty and Teaching Assistants.

EVERYONE SIGN-UP Outside Room 111! 

If you have any questions about jazz small groups, please see Rob Tapper in Room 111 or email at robert.tapper@umontana.edu