PLEASE NOTE:  INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF 5/21/23.

New AND returning students, please be sure to read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) all the way to the very end, as most if not all your questions can be answered there, including MANDATORY DATES for which all ensemble members MUST be available for the Fall 2023 semester, and changes to the ensemble rehearsal times from last year!

Instrumentalists interested in playing in the vocal jazz ensemble rhythm sections should indicate that on their instrumental audition forms.

Auditions for placement in Vocal Jazz ensembles and/or Jazz Chamber Music ensembles (jazz studies upper division majors only) will take place:

Thursday, August 17 between 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. in Room 292

Friday, August 18 between 10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Room 292

CALLBACK FOR SELECTED SOP/ALTO VOCALISTS:  

Friday, August 18 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in Room 262

Sign up online now for your audition time here.

Fill out your online audition form (prior to your audition) here.

[Note: Auditions for Lab Band Vocalist chairs are open to jazz majors only, and Round One will take place on Friday, August 18 between 5 – 6:15 p.m.  More information and a link to sign up for an audition will be found on the Canvas page for the voice area of the Jazz Division.]

MANDATORY EVENTS/CONCERT DATES (more will be added, but if you are interested in being placed in an ensemble, these should be placed on your calendar NOW):

1. Fall Ensemble Retreats (MANDATORY FOR ALL ENSEMBLE MEMBERS!):
   
   1. Jazz Singers and Third Street will have a retreat on Saturday, September 9, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
   2. Avenue C and West End will have a retreat on Sunday, September 16, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.  
2. Jazz Singers perform in the College of Music Salon Concert: Sunday, Sept. 10 (Call time TBD, 3 p.m. performance)
3. Denton Arts & Jazz Festival:  Jazz Singers, Avenue C & Third Street will perform on Sunday, October 8, 1 - 4 p.m.
4. The Syndicate Friday “Nooners” (11 a.m. call, 12 – 1 p.m. performance):  
   
   1. Jazz Singers:  TBA
   2. Avenue C:  TBA
   3. Third Street:  TBA
   4. West End:  TBA
5. The Syndicate evening performances (7 p.m. call, 9 p.m. performance):  
   
   1. Jazz Singers & Third Street perform on Tuesday, TBA
6. Avenue C & West End perform on Tuesday, TBA
7. Vocal Jazz Ensemble Fall Extravaganza:  Friday, November 10 is the major fall concert event for all four ensembles in Voertman Hall.  Everyone should plan to block the ENTIRE DAY/EVENING until a more detailed schedule is available.

FAQ:

I'm not a Jazz Studies major, or even a music major - can I still audition for one of the vocal jazz ensembles?

Auditions for all vocal jazz ensembles are open to any currently enrolled UNT student regardless of major.

I work on Fridays, so I won't be available for the callback.  Can you just put me in a group anyway?

All vocalists won’t be required to attend the callback to be placed in a group.  We will do our best to let everyone know whether they will or will not need to be there as soon as possible; in some cases, we can let you know at the conclusion of your audition (especially if you audition on Thursday!), but some may not be notified until as late as Friday at 3:15 p.m. that they need to be there at 4 p.m., so you should definitely plan on being available.  If there is a legitimate reason why that's impossible for you, we will expect that you'll contact us well in advance to discuss your situation.

What will I have to do in my individual audition?

• If you’re auditioning for vocal jazz ensembles ONLY, you’ll sing short versions of two contrasting tempo songs (any style is o.k., but jazz is preferred; one ballad and one medium or up-tempo). For the ballad, please prepare to sing only ONCE through the song; for the medium or fast song, a maximum of twice through the song (including improvisation, which is optional) so plan accordingly! Please no lengthy forms, complex arrangements, or instrumental solos due to time constraints.  

• If you’re auditioning for JCM and vocal jazz ensembles (jazz majors only), please prepare a ballad of your choosing (as indicated above), but for your medium or up-tempo song selection, choose from the options on the JCM Vocalist Audition rubric page, and please read the information on that page carefully to assist in preparing well!  Note that you may not self-accompany on the JCM song you choose you must sing with an accompanist or track (we would like to NOT accompany you on this, so we can all focus on listening!).

• If you’re auditioning for JCM only, then you will only prepare one medium/up-tempo tune from the options on the JCM Vocalist Audition rubric page, and please read the information on that page carefully to assist in preparing well!  Note that you may not self-accompany on the JCM song you choose – you must sing with an accompanist or track (we would like to NOT accompany you on this, so we can all focus on listening!).

• Vocalize throughout your entire range 

• A brief “ear test”

• Sight-read

• Sing your part on a short excerpt of music that will be made available to you not less than 24 hours prior to your audition time that you learn on your own.  We will provide tools to help you with your preparation, including an audio track of your part.

Should I bring my own accompanist or accompaniment?

You may sing a cappella, accompany yourself, bring a pianist or guitarist to accompany you (acoustic only please – we don’t have time for setting up amps), use a backing track (like the iRealPro app), or you may bring a lead sheet and ask one of us to play for you.  We will have a Bluetooth speaker available to which you may connect your playback device.2

When do the vocal jazz ensembles rehearse?

UNT Jazz Singers (Directed by Jennifer Barnes):  

Mondays from 12 – 12:50 p.m. (Rm. 292)

Tu/Th from 12:30 to 1:50 p.m. (Rm. 263 – Lab East)

Fridays from 1 – 1:50 p.m. (258)

Avenue C:       

T/Th from 2:00 – 3:50 p.m. (Rm. 263 – Lab East)

Third Street:

M/W from 7:00 – 7:50 p.m. (Rm. 263 – Lab East)

Fridays from 12 – 1:50 p.m. (Rm. 263 – Lab East)

West End:

M/W from 5 – 6:50 p.m. (Rm. 263 – Lab East)

When will I find out if I made a group, and how do I register?

Results will be posted here on this page on Saturday, August 19, but as soon as you sign up for an audition time, you should immediately register for MULB 1820, Section 500 (holding section for VJ ensembles), which guarantees that you will have paid for the ensemble, then we will move you to the proper section or you will drop the class if necessary.

Do I have to be registered for this class to sing in an ensemble?

Anyone who is placed in an ensemble MUST be registered.  

When do the ensembles start rehearsals?

Rehearsals begin on Monday, August 21 (the first day of classes) or Tuesday, August 22; the results when posted will stipulate which day for your ensemble.