CHS Jazz Band Auditions

Dear 8th Grade students and families, 

If you are interested in playing in the CHS Jazz Band as 9th graders for the 2017-2018 school year, please read below for a letter from Mr. Mancini.  
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Please direct any questions about CHS Jazz Band to Mr. Mancini:  Richard.Mancini@camas.wednet.edu

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Attached please find audition materials for next year’s CHS jazz bands.  It’s pretty self-explanatory, I think:  find the two pdf files that apply to your instrument, print them out, practice them!  Also be sure to read the “Auditions” pdf file.  If you’re not auditioning for jazz band, feel free to delete this message.  You’re welcome.

Auditions will consist of the following:

1. Two major scales selected from the following concert pitches (my choice): G, C, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db
2. Chromatic scale (you really should know this by now—just sayin’)
3. The two attached prepared pieces (see below for details)
4. Sight reading—which you won’t see beforehand, duh
5. Small bribes given to the judge

Alto and bari sax: choose the “alto bari” files attached

Tenor sax and trumpet: choose the “trumpet tenor” files

Trombone: choose the “trombone bass” files

Piano and guitar: play “Misty” for me (ha ha) from the “trumpet tenor” file, playing whatever background chords you can with the melody; also prepare a piece of your choice to play (any style, but something jazzy is better in this case)

Bass: choose the “trombone bass” files, playing the melody; also play me a “walking bass” 12-bar blues progression in the key of your choice

Drums: you will play the scales on the vibes; then play the following grooves: swing, shuffle, rock, funk, Latin (bossa nova, samba, etc.).  I will give you the tempo for each style.

About the chord symbols in the charts (piano and guitar): the “minus sign” denotes a minor chord; “B-7” is “B minor 7,” having the same function as the lowercase “m” in standard music theory (Bm7).  Instead of using a capital “M” for major 7ths (FM7), these charts use “maj7.”

Students will audition by section like we do for concert band chair tests.  Anyone can go first, second, third, etc.  Once you complete your audition (about 7-8 minutes), you are free to leave.  Here’s our schedule:

Tuesday, May 23 – saxophones
6:40-7:35 AM (zero period), saxophones currently in jazz bands at CHS
After school, CHS saxophones NOT currently in jazz band will audition 2:20-3:10 (or during 6th period if available); 8th graders will begin at 3:10.

Wednesday, May 24 – trumpets
6:40 AM, trumpets currently in jazz bands at CHS
After school, CHS trumpets NOT currently in jazz band will audition 2:20-3:10 (or during 6th period if available); 8th graders will begin at 3:10.

Thursday, May 25 – trombones (this is also our step-up instrument night, BTW)
6:40 AM, trombones currently in jazz bands at CHS
After school, CHS trombones NOT currently in jazz band will audition 2:20-3:10 (or during 6th period if available); 8th graders will begin at 3:10.

Friday, May 26 – rhythm section
6:40 AM, bass/guitar/piano/drums currently in jazz bands at CHS
After school, CHS bass/guitar/piano/drums NOT currently in jazz band will audition 2:20-3:10 (or during 6th period if available); 8th graders will begin at 3:10.

(NO SCHOOL Memorial Day)

Results will be posted by Tuesday, May 30, after school in the CHS band hallway.  I will also send the results to my CHS band email list and also to Mr. Henion and Mr. Sanchez.  Since this follows a three-day weekend, results may be posted earlier in the day.

Thank you for auditioning!

Richard Mancini

chs_jazz_band_auditions.zip
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