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Jazz Band

The BOHS Jazz band is a performance ensemble that performs at school concerts, festival competitions, and at local community events.
 
BOHS Jazz Band 2020-2021 Google Classroom link: https://classroom.google.com/u/0/c/MTI2MDQzODI5NDI4
Class Code: the2va4
 
 

2021-2022 BOHS Jazz Band Audition

The BOHS Jazz Band requires an audition for acceptance into the class. Auditions for Jazz Band are competitive as spots are limited to around 5 trumpets, 5 trombones, 5 saxophones, and 4-5 rhythm section players (Drumset, Upright-Bass, Guitar, Piano). Other instruments such as Clarinet, Flute, and Vibraphone (or other) are also welcome to audition, but these students must be able to transpose Eb alto sax parts on their own. All video auditions are due to the Flipgrid by May 2nd, 2021. 

 

All students (including returning members) who wish to audition for Jazz Band will submit an unedited, single-cut video of themselves performing the following using the Flipgrid link below. In order to gain access please use your @mybousd.us account, but if that is not possible please use the guest code BOHSBand. The topic is moderated so only the teacher will be able to view your submission. The video submission has a time limit of 10 minutes so use your time wisely!

Flipgrid Link: https://flipgrid.com/46a86f2c

Student Join Code: 46a86f2c

Guest Code: BOHSBand

 

If you are unable to submit a video and you would still like to audition, or if you have any questions at all regarding the audition or audition process, please contact the director at jcharrette@bousd.us as soon as possible.

 

AUDITION MATERIALS & INSTRUCTIONS

 

Brass/Woodwinds

 

  1. B-flat 2-5-1 Chord Progression - Perform along with the backing track the Bb ii-V-I chord progression (mm5-8 ONLY of the document below) exactly as written (twice), then perform an improvised solo over the chord progression (use the notes provided in any octave) for two more repetitions.

Sheet Music: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wMlW01YUw7EdSzgzhMpzJI9Iw7slmZXk/view?usp=sharing

Mp3 Backing Track: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YiNQDtxhyjqQr86nR43XKfEU-dQXx0Mv/view?usp=sharing

**An attempt at improvisation is highly recommended, but not required. If you do not wish to improvise, just play the notes along with the backing track exactly as written, repeating mm5-8 four times total (16 bars total).

**Extra Credit - apply appropriate extended harmonies to your improvisation (9th, 13th, etc.)

 

  1. 12 Bar Blues in F – play the provided melody along with the mp3 backing track as follows:

Sheet Music: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a_giIKEieDFziFcNdw9ZbGUrJB4zaUhI/view?usp=sharing

Mp3 Backing Track:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/121Hnik2NnxfQOofxZmItas5ugf9KY8EJ/view?usp=sharing

 

First Chorus (mm3-14 first time)– play the head (melody) exactly as written

Second Chorus (mm3-14 second time) – play the head (optional light improvisatory additions)

     Third & Fourth Chorus (mm15-26 third and fourth time) - perform an improvised solo based on the chord progression (suggested notes provided as arpeggiated 8th notes)

                **attempt at improvisation is highly recommended, but not required. If you do not wish to improvise, then perform the piece exactly as written.

**Extra Credit - apply appropriate extended harmonies to your improvisation (9th, 13th, ‘blue notes’, etc.)

 

  1. 30 second jazz excerpt or improvisation of your choice (optional) 

Preference to big band swing & jazz standard charts.



Piano/Guitar/Bass/Vibraphone 

  1. B-flat 2-5-1 Chord Progression - same as the winds but with the following exceptions/additions:

Piano/Guitar/Vibraphone: on the second repeat of the 2-5-1 perform an appropriate ‘comping’ pattern on the chord progression. (guitar tablature is just a suggestion) Perform an improvised solo on the 3rd and 4th repeat same as winds. 

Bass: on the second repeat of the 2-5-1 perform an appropriate walking bass line for the chord progression (optional). Solo on the 3rd and 4th repeat same as winds.

 

  1. 12 Bar Blues in F - same assignments as the winds but with the following exceptions/additions:

Piano/Guitar/Vibraphone: on the second chorus (second time through mm3-14) perform an appropriate ‘comping’ pattern on the chord progression. *note* see C-Treble clef instruments music for suggested notes to solo on for the third and fourth choruses. (guitar tablature is just a suggestion)

Bass: on the second chorus (second time through mm3-14) perform an appropriate walking bass line on the chord progression.*note* see C-Bass clef instruments music for suggested notes to solo on for the third and fourth choruses.



  1. 30 second jazz excerpt or improvisation of your choice (optional) 

Same assignments as the winds. Preference to big band swing & jazz standard charts.



Drumset

  1. 4-Bar Grooves: Using a metronome at 120bpm (faster/slower tempos ok), demonstrate keeping time in the following different styles in four bar phrases, repeated two times, each style. Play each groove for three bars and perform a light, stylistically appropriate ‘fill’ in the fourth bar, then repeat. Count yourself off each time with an 8 count count-off (try to have as short a break in between grooves as possible in order to keep within the recording time limit). Perform the following patterns:

Sheet Music: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rugc3SbsUWZTYNFoXbJWdNijwoM92ur5/view?usp=sharing

  1. Basic Big Band Swing pattern
  2. 8th-note Rock (Pop Rock & Blues Rock in the pdf)
  3. 16th-note Rock/Funk (Funk Blues 1 & 2 in the pdf)
  4. Bossa Nova (Bossa Nova in the pdf)
  5. Jazz Waltz (Jazz Waltz in the pdf)

**Optional extra credit - add light, appropriate ‘comping’ with the left hand snare drum (or other) for each of the grooves

 

  1. 12 Bar Blues in F– play along with the mp3 backing track as follows:

Sheet Music: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a_giIKEieDFziFcNdw9ZbGUrJB4zaUhI/view?usp=sharing

Mp3 Backing Track:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/121Hnik2NnxfQOofxZmItas5ugf9KY8EJ/view?usp=sharing

 

First & Second Chorus (mm3-14) – play along adding light ‘comping’ with the melody

     Third & Fourth Chorus (mm15-26) - perform an improvised solo. Make sure to stay in time with the recording and remain consistent with the style of the chart.

                **attempt at improvisation is highly recommended, but not required. If you do not wish to improvise, then perform the third and fourth chorus with light fills every 4 bars.

 

  1. 30 second jazz excerpt or improvisation of your choice (optional) 

Same assignments as the winds. Preference to big band swing & jazz standard charts.