JAZZ AUDITIONS

Audition Information

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  Vocalists
  Note: All students must fill out the above forms before auditioning.
  
  

  When

  September 3rd & 4th
  
  

  Where

  MB 1067
  
  

  Sign-Ups

  Sign up for an audition time on the Signup Genius Link
  
  

  Audition Materials

  Sing a jazz swing standard of your choice, a cappella. You will also be asked to sight sing and improvise over a 12-bar blues.
  
  Contact Professor Hayley Kirkland with any questions (hayleykirkland@byu.edu).
  
  Updated for Fall 2025
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  Saxophone
  When
  Tuesday, September 1 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm (Classical auditions are from 10:00 am-12:00 pm). Sign up for a time slot on Dr. Nichols’ Door (MB 4141).
  
  Where
  Auditions will be in MB 4141
  
  Note: All students must fill out the above forms before auditioning.
  
  

  Audition Materials

  Bring a jazz standard of your choosing to perform and/or improvise over (we will use Learn Jazz Standards or iReal Pro as a backing track). Be prepared to sight read and improvise (by ear and sightreading changes) on materials we will provide.
  
  IMPORTANT—Fall Auditions will typically be for the entire academic year (September 2026-April 2027).
  
  Contact Benjamin.Nichols@byu.edu for saxophone questions.
  
  Updated for Fall 2026
  
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  Trumpet
  Note: All students must fill out the above forms before auditioning.
  
  

  When

  September 3rd, 5pm-6:30pm
  
  

  Where

  MB 3223
  
  

  Sign-Ups

  Sign-ups will be on Dr. Lee's door.
  
  

  Audition Materials

  Audition materials will be on Dr. Lee’s door (MB 3143)
  
  Contact Dr. Lee with any questions (randy.lee@byu.edu).
  
  Updated for Fall 2025
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  Trombone
  Note: All students must fill out the above forms before auditioning.
  
  

  When

  
  Tuesday, September 1, from 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
  
  

  Where

  
  Dr. Woodbury's office (4145 MB)
  
  

  Audition Materials

  
  Prepared music for tenor trombones and for bass trombones, plus sightreading and optional improvisation on a tune of your choice.
  
  Contact Dr. Woodbury with any questions (bwoodbury@byu.edu).
  
  
  Updated for Fall 2026
  
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  Guitar
  Updated for Fall 2025
  
  Note: All students must fill out the above forms before auditioning.
  
  

  When

  IN ADDITION TO the online audition below, there will also be a group rhythm section audition by invitation only. This will take place on Friday, September 5th from 12:00pm-2:00pm
  
  

  Where

  To submit an audition video, please either upload an unlisted video to YouTube or give access to adam_keith@byu.edu for your Dropbox/drive/etc files. PLEASE be sure to double check that the video is not private or that access has been granted to Adam, as failure to do so will slow down the audition process and may affect placement.
  If invited, group combo auditions will take place in 1067 MB.
  
  
  

  Audition Materials

  Students should prepare to play the melody, comp, and solo on Autumn Leaves in G minor.
  
  
  
  Contact Adam Keith at adam_keith@byu.edu for any guitar questions.
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  Piano
  Note: All students must fill out the above forms before auditioning.
  
  IN ADDITION TO the audition below, there will also be a group rhythm section audition.
  This will take place on Friday, September 5th from 12:00pm-2:00pm in MB 1067
  
  

  When

  September 5^th, between 9:30am – 12:00pm
  
  

  Where

  Studio Y (2^nd floor of MB, west side of building, in commercial music wing)
  
  

  Sign-Ups

  Sign up for a time here.
  
  

  Audition Materials

  Materials can be found here. Prepare the piece and the first three licks in all 12 keys at 80 BPM.
  
  Contact Professor Blasucci with any questions (john_blasucci@byu.edu)
  
  Updated for Fall 2025
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  Drums
  Note: All students must fill out the above forms before auditioning.
  
  Non-Music Majors 
  You may audition for any music ensemble. For those only interested in jazz, see below. For those interested in any other ensemble, play any etude or short solo on a percussion instrument of your choice. Also be prepared to do some sight reading on snare drum and 2-mallets. 
  
  For those only interested in jazz:
  
  

  1. First Round each student must audition in person with percussion faculty on audition day. Drum set applicants are to play the following styles: medium swing, mambo, samba, funk, rock, trade 4’s in a swing feel. Play “Dayley Dash” from The Drummer’s Workbook by Jay Lawrence.
     
     
  2. Final Round by invitation only for big bands
     
     

  (For any questions about jazz auditions, contact Brian Woodbury at bwoodbury@byu.edu)
  
  
  
  For music majors interested in playing in a jazz group:
  
  

  1. First Round each student must audition in person with the percussion faculty on the first day of class. 
     
     
  2. Final Round by invitation only for big bands. Contact Brian Woodbury at bwoodbury@byu.edu with questions.
     
     

  
  Click here to sign up for an audition time
  
  Contact Dr. Coleman (matt_coleman@byu.edu) with any questions.
  
  Updated for Fall 2026
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  Bass
  Note: All students must fill out the above forms before auditioning.
  
  

  Audition Requirements

  
  1-2 minutes of an excerpt/piece of your choice, that best shows your strengths and playing level.
  Prepare two tunes from the standard catalogue, one swing and one latin. You’ll play the head, then play the changes and solo—one chorus each—on the form in the appropriate style.
  Sight reading may be asked as an additional element.
  

  When

  
  Wednesday, September 2nd
  

  Sign-Ups

  
  Outside Professor Hansen’s office
  

  Where

  
  MB 4137
  
  Contact Professor Eric Hansen with any questions (bass@byu.edu).
  
  
  Updated for Fall 2026
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  Other Instruments
  Note: All students must fill out the above forms before auditioning.
  
  Email Dr. Woodbury at bwoodbury@byu.edu for questions.
  
  Updated for Fall 2025