FALL 2025 AUDITIONS FOR PLACEMENT IN JAZZ BIG BANDS AND JAZZ SMALL GROUPS

Auditions will be held Monday, September 15, 2025, from 3:10-5:00pm.
Sign up sheets will be posted on jazz faculty office doors during Welcome Week. Office numbers are listed by instrument and professor below, along with audition requirements for each instrument. Audition results (combos and big bands) will be emailed to all students.

Let us know at your audition if you prefer to play in:

  • Both a large jazz ensemble/big band AND a jazz small group/combo
  • Large jazz ensemble/big band only
  • Jazz small group/combo only

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE (LUJE):
Mon/Weds 3:10-4:20pm & Thurs 4:40-5:50pm

LAWRENCE JAZZ BAND:
Tues/Thurs 3:10-4:30pm

JAZZ WORKSHOP:
Mon/Weds 3:10-4:20pm

JAZZ SMALL GROUPS/COMBOS:
meet twice weekly for one hour, TBA.

Participation in these groups is a three term/all year commitment unless you are studying off campus or graduating early. Below are the specific audition requirements for each instrument. Feel free to use online backing tracks, and if improvising on a Bb blues, include two or more choruses. Please contact the studio professor listed below if you have additional questions.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS BY INSTRUMENT

SAXOPHONE (Music-Drama B-25): José Encarnación

  1. Play a solo transcription of your choice
  2. Improvise on a Bb Blues
  3. Optional:  Play a short excerpt on any doubling instrument(s) you play (flute, clarinet, etc.) Clarinet excerpt.pdf, Flute excerpt.pdf

TRUMPET (Shattuck 18): Nadje Noordhuis

  1. Play through the excerpt from Shiny Stockings OR Corner Pocket, paying close attention to phrasing and articulation.  All Lead Trumpet auditions:  play through Basie - Straight Ahead excerpt only.
  2. Play through 1st chorus of transcription of Four by Miles Davis, or a transcription or jazz standard of your choosing.
  3. Optional: Solo over Bb Blues or a jazz standard of choice (iReal Pro will be used as accompaniment during audition).

TROMBONE (Shattuck 21): Tim Albright

  1. Play Groove Blues by Jim Snidero, This is Love by Mike Carubia, or a standard or transcription of your choice.
    Listen to a recording of Groove Blues (pan left to play along).  Listen to a recording of This is Love.
  2. Optional: Improvise over an F or Bb blues 

PIANO (Shattuck 5): Bill Carrothers & Patty Darling

  1. Play a standard (your choice)-can be improvised or a transcription.
  2. Optional: Improvise and comp over a Bb Blues

GUITAR (Music-Drama B-47): Steve Peplin

  1. Play a standard (your choice) and comp and improvise on Bb Blues
  2. Sight-read (melodic and harmonic)
  3. Play a transcribed solo (your choice) along with recording

BASS (Shattuck 56): Mark Urness

  1. Walk and solo on Bb Blues
  2. Sightread
  3. Optional: Play a transcribed solo along with the original recording

DRUMS (Shattuck 25): Greg Riss

  1. Demonstrate various styles that you are familiar with (i.e. bebop, samba, baiao, mambo, songo, bembe, funk in odd meter)
  2. Prepare a transcription or improvise a short solo in any style.

NON-TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS (Music-Drama 258): Matt Turner

  1. Prepare a transcription or improvise a short solo in any style.

VOICE (Jazz Room, Shattuck 46): Janet Planet