Last Updated: Sept. 26, 2023
Stay up to date with all Division of Jazz Studies announcements, activities, and audition results by joining its Canvas page.
Undergraduates
Are you planning to…
- Play an instrument in a lab/ensemble (including a vocal jazz ensemble)? Enroll in MULB 1808.500.
- Sing in a vocal jazz ensemble? Enroll in MULB 1820.500.
- Play guitar in a guitar ensemble? Enroll in MULB 1817.500.
- Play viola, violin, cello, or harp in Jazz Strings Lab? Enroll in MULB 1824.001.
- Participate in Jazz Chamber Music*? Enroll in MUCM 3550.500.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
*You must be a Jazz Studies major to enroll in Jazz Chamber Music. You also must have completed Improv II (MUJS 2370) or submitted Credit By Exam forms for Improv II (MUJS 2370)**
**If you have previously submitted Credit By Exam forms for Improv II, email the Administrative Coordinator of Jazz Studies (Madison.Russell@unt.edu) for enrollment in Jazz Chamber Music.
Graduates
Are you planning to…
- Play an instrument in a lab/ensemble (including a vocal jazz ensemble)? Enroll in MULB 5174.500.
- Sing in a vocal jazz ensemble? Enroll in MULB 5174.522.
- Play guitar in a guitar ensemble? Enroll in MULB 5174.516.
- Play viola, violin, cello, or harp in Jazz Strings Lab? Enroll in MULB 5174.529.
- Participate in Jazz Chamber Music? Enroll in MUCM 5550.500.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
Audition Information Based On Instrument
Bass
For Lab Bands/Ensembles: Enroll in MULB 1808.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5174.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
For Jazz Chamber Music*: Enroll in MUCM 3550.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5550.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
*Only Jazz Studies majors who have completed Improv II (MUJS 2370 for undergraduate students) or its equivalent (MUJS 5370.003 for graduate students) are permitted to enroll in Jazz Chamber Music. For graduate students, this requirement only applies to those who have been assigned review courses.
Jazz Bass Audition Dates :
- Thursday, August 17 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in Prof. Seaton's office #279
- Friday, August 18 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in Prof. Seaton's office #279
Required Forms:
Jazz lab auditions take place each semester the week prior to the start of classes in Prof. Seaton's office #279. They consist of sight-reading typical big band charts: reading notes, walking bass lines and soloing. Bring both acoustic and electric basses if you play both. Please be prepared to play (instruments out of the case and tuned) ten minutes before your scheduled audition time. A prepared piece will be sent to your UNT email about two weeks before the first audition date.
Drum Set and Vibes
For Lab Bands/Ensembles: Enroll in MULB 1808.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5174.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
For Jazz Chamber Music*: Enroll in MUCM 3550.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5550.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
*Only Jazz Studies majors who have completed Improv II (MUJS 2370 for undergraduate students) or its equivalent (MUJS 5370.003 for graduate students) are permitted to enroll in Jazz Chamber Music. For graduate students, this requirement only applies to those who have been assigned review courses.
Audition Dates/Information:
- Round 1: Thursday, August 17 - 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in MU133 (Prof. Davis' office)
- Drum Set
- Round 1 Audition Materials (Sign-Up Sheet and Prepared Chart)
- You will be asked to perform 2 unaccompanied charts: 1 prepared chart and 1 sightread chart.
- Vibes
- Prepared - 1 jazz standard (medium tempo) - Be able to play melody, solo and comp through song
- Sight Reading - You will be asked to sight read 1 chart: melody, comping and soloing.
- NOTE: This is the only round of auditions for vibes. Round 2 is only for drum set.
- Drum Set
- Round 2: Friday, August 18 (Drum Set only)- 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Location TBA
- 2 to 3 charts of varying tempos and styles will be performed with a band.
- This audition Score Sheet will be used to objectively score each audition. This should be used as a guide to help pinpoint areas of focus in your preparation.
- Any prepared charts will be sent to students after Round 1 auditions.
- Students who pass Round 1 will be notified of their exact audition time, along with any other pertinent information regarding audition requirements.
Guitar
For Lab Bands/Ensembles: Enroll in MULB 1808.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5174.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
For Jazz Chamber Music*: Enroll in MUCM 3550.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5550.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
*Only Jazz Studies majors who have completed Improv II (MUJS 2370 for undergraduate students) or its equivalent (MUJS 5370.003 for graduate students) are permitted to enroll in Jazz Chamber Music. For graduate students, this requirement only applies to those who have been assigned review courses.
Audition Dates: Friday, August 18 | Saturday, August 19
Guitarists will perform a live audition before classes begin for ensemble and lesson or master class placement. This will focus on sight reading of both lines and chord changes and improvising.
Piano
For Lab Bands/Ensembles: Enroll in MULB 1808.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5174.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
For Jazz Chamber Music*: Enroll in MUCM 3550.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5550.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
*Only Jazz Studies majors who have completed Improv II (MUJS 2370 for undergraduate students) or its equivalent (MUJS 5370.003 for graduate students) are permitted to enroll in Jazz Chamber Music. For graduate students, this requirement only applies to those who have been assigned review courses.
Audition Date: Friday, August 18 in MU272
Students must arrive at least 10 minutes early to their scheduled time. Auditioning students should be prepared to play and improvise over a jazz standard or original composition of their choosing.
- Complete the information form here: https://bit.ly/jazzpianolabinfo
- AND sign up for a time here: https://bit.ly/jazzpianolabsignup
Saxophone
For Lab Bands/Ensembles: Enroll in MULB 1808.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5174.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
For Jazz Chamber Music*: Enroll in MUCM 3550.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5550.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
*Only Jazz Studies majors who have completed Improv II (MUJS 2370 for undergraduate students) or its equivalent (MUJS 5370.003 for graduate students) are permitted to enroll in Jazz Chamber Music. For graduate students, this requirement only applies to those who have been assigned review courses.
Audition Date: Friday, August 18 in MU330
There are several changes this year so please read the following information. The audition will consist of sight-reading different Jazz styles, tempos, time signatures, etc. Students auditioning for JCM will additionally sight-read one Jazz standard for improvisation. During the audition, those improvising will be given an option of three different Jazz standards of varying levels of difficulty to choose from. These will help to determine JCM group placement.
Strings
For Jazz Strings Lab: Enroll in MULB 1824.001 (undergraduates) or MULB 5174.529 (graduates). There is no audition necessary for music majors.
For Jazz Chamber Music*: Only Jazz Studies majors who have completed Improv II (MUJS 2370 for undergraduate students) or its equivalent (MUJS 5370.003 for graduate students) are permitted to enroll in Jazz Chamber Music. For graduate students, this requirement only applies to those who have been assigned review courses..
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see placement results.
Trombone
For Lab Bands/Ensembles: Enroll in MULB 1808.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5174.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
For Jazz Chamber Music*: Enroll in MUCM 3550.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5550.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
*Only Jazz Studies majors who have completed Improv II (MUJS 2370 for undergraduate students) or its equivalent (MUJS 5370.003 for graduate students) are permitted to enroll in Jazz Chamber Music. For graduate students, this requirement only applies to those who have been assigned review courses.
Audition Dates: Monday, August 14 | Tuesday, August 15 | Wednesday, August 16 in MU107
Auditions will consist of:
- Prepared piece
- Sight reading
- Optional improvisation on a tune of your choice*
*Students Auditioning for JCM must select a tune to improvise over
- For the improvisation segment, students should select from the list of Jazz Chamber Music Audition Tunes listed above. Please arrive with enough time to fill out the Lab Band/JCM Audition sheet.
- Jazz majors: This will also be your JCM audition.
Trumpet
For Lab Bands/Ensembles: Enroll in MULB 1808.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5174.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
For Jazz Chamber Music*: Enroll in MUCM 3550.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5550.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
*Only Jazz Studies majors who have completed Improv II (MUJS 2370 for undergraduate students) or its equivalent (MUJS 5370.003 for graduate students) are permitted to enroll in Jazz Chamber Music. For graduate students, this requirement only applies to those who have been assigned review courses.
Audition Dates: Saturday, August 19 | Sunday, August 20 in MU262
- Audition materials will be posted between August 7th and August 10th.
- Audition Sign-Up
- To view audition materials, go to this link: Prepared Material
Voice
Enroll in MULB 1820.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5174.522 (graduates) before auditioning.
For Jazz Chamber Music*: Enroll in MUCM 3550.500 (undergraduates) or MULB 5550.500 (graduates) before auditioning.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
*Only Jazz Studies majors who have completed Improv II (MUJS 2370 for undergraduate students) or its equivalent (MUJS 5370.003 for graduate students) are permitted to enroll in Jazz Chamber Music. For graduate students, this requirement only applies to those who have been assigned review courses.
Please click HERE for all the pertinent information you need regarding vocal jazz ensembles and the audition process as well as a link to the online sign-up form (which also contains a link to the online audition form!)
Rhythm auditions will be by recommendation and placement from studio professors.
Ensembles
Latin Jazz Lab
Audition Information: All students wishing to participate in Latin Lab auditions must complete the regular audition process on their instrument (see listing above). Rhythm auditions will be by recommendation and placement from studio professors. Horn challenge auditions will be heard by Prof. José Aponte with approval from studio professors.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
Commercial Music Lab
Audition Materials: Audition tunes will be chosen approximately one week prior to the audition.
Audition Date(s) / Information:
- The audition will take place during the first class period: Monday, August 21st at 5:00 p.m. in MU258.
- This audition will include keys, bass, drums, and vocalists only. Horns will be assigned based on lab band auditions.
- Audition Materials
- Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
Guide to Jazz Labs:
The following jazz labs count toward the 8 semester credit hours of music laboratory for undergraduates:
- MULB 1808 - Jazz Lab Band
- MULB 1817 - Jazz Guitar Laboratory
- MULB 1819 - Commercial Music Lab
- MULB 1820 - Jazz Singers Laboratory
- MULB 1821 - Latin Jazz Lab
- MULB 1821 - Jazz Strings Lab
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
Jazz Chamber Music
This process does not apply to jazz bassists or drummers who will be placed based upon regular audition.
Enroll in the Division of Jazz Studies Canvas page to see audition results.
Instrumentalist Placement Audition Guidelines & Form // Vocalist Placement Audition Guidelines & Form
At the discretion of each professor, improvisation assessments will be made based on a 50-point system, similar to the one below. The final score will affect the following outcomes:
- Solo Chair Placements for Lab Bands
- Jazz Chamber Music (JCM) Placements
Higher scores will result in higher Lab Band and JCM placements.
If you want to be considered for the higher placements, it is recommended that you choose a tune from Level 4 (see below). Be sure you are well prepared.
This process does not apply to jazz bassists or drummers who will be placed based upon regular audition.
There are four categories that will be considered. Again, his process does not apply to jazz bassists or drummers who will be placed based upon regular audition.
1. Sound / Tone | 2. Feel & Time | 3. Harmonic Accuracy | 4. Overall Performance
Categories 1, 2 and 3 will each be rated from 1-10 (a total of 30 points). Category 4 will be on a sliding scale (up to 20 points) based on the difficulty of song selected.
Level 1 songs have a score range from 1-5
Level 3 songs have a score range from 1-15
Level 2 songs have a score range from 1-10
Level 4 songs have a score range from 1-20
Choose only ONE of the following songs. Backing tracks and sheet music available here. Saxophone sheet music is here.
| LEVEL 1 | LEVEL 2 | LEVEL 3 | LEVEL 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 points available | 10 points available | 15 points available | 20 points available |
| There Will Never Be Another You | Whisper Not | Along Came Betty | Dolphin Dance |
| Yardbird Suite | Confirmation | Ornithology | Airegin |
***A higher level song does not guarantee a higher score. It is recommended that you choose the appropriate level song that highlights your current strengths and abilities.
Lab/Ensemble Meeting Schedule
| LAB | DAY | TIME | ROOM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz Strings Lab | Tu/Th. | 2:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. | MUSI 262 |
| The U-Tubes | Mon/Wed. | 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. | MUSI 263 |
| Commercial Music Lab | M/T/W/Th | 5:00 p.m. - 5:50 p.m. | MUSI 258 |
| UNT Jazz Singers | Mon. | 12:00 p.m. - 12:50 p.m. | MUSI 292 |
| Tu/Th. | 12:30 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. | MUSI 263 | |
| Fri. | 1:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. | MUSI 258 | |
| Avenue C | Tu/Th. | 2:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. | MUSI 263 |
| Third Street | Mon/Wed. | 7:00 p.m. - 7:50 p.m. | MUSI 263 |
| Fri. | 12:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. | MUSI 263 | |
| West End | Mon/Wed. | 5:00 p.m. - 6:40 p.m. | MUSI 263 |
| Jazz Vocal Techniques | Mon/Wed. | 12:00 p.m. - 12:50 p.m. | MUSI 292 |
| L-5 (Guitar) | Mon/Wed. | 2:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. | MUSI 262 |
| Super 400 (Guitar) | Mon/Wed. | 5:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. | MUSI 262 |
| Latin Jazz Lab Band | Mon/Wed. | 12:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. | MUSI 262 |
| One O'Clock Lab Band | M/T/W/Th | 1:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. | MUSI 258 |
| Two O'Clock Lab Band | Mon/Wed. | 2:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. | MUSI 258 |
| Three O'Clock Lab Band | Mon/Wed. | 2:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. | MUSI 263 |
| Four O'Clock Lab Band | Tu/Th. | 2:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. | MUSI 258 |
| Five O'Clock Lab Band | Mon/Wed. | 12:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. | MUSI 263 |
| Six O'Clock Lab Band | Tu/Th. | 5:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. | MUSI 262 |
| Seven O'Clock Lab Band | Tu/Th. | 5:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. | MUSI 263 |