Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
(405) 744-8998
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Prepared piece is “Bloomdido” (pdf’s available in treble clef or bass clef)
OSU Jazz rhythm section auditions will occur on Tuesday, August 23 at 7:30pm in GSM 110. If you want to play in a big band or combo, you must attend this audition. For this audition, I will hear you play in combo format. There is no signup sheet for the rhythm section auditions. Everyone please arrive promptly at 7:30pm with your lead sheet for “Bloomdido”.
Drummers: Drums and cymbals will be set up for you so that all you have to do is show up. We will also take care of teardown. You’ll just need to bring your lead sheet for “Bloomdido” and your sticks and brushes (if you also have brushes). Drummers may be asked to play different grooves to show their range of styles (medium swing, fast swing, bossa nova, swing waltz, Afro Cuban, Funk, swing with brushes).
Bassists: A bass amp will be set up for you. You will need to bring your bass, instrument cable, and lead sheet for “Bloomdido” (bass clef version of Bloomdido).
Guitarists: A guitar amp will be set up for you. You will need to bring your guitar, instrument cable, and lead sheet for “Bloomdido” (treble clef version of Bloomdido).
Pianists: A Steinway grand piano will be set up for you. You will only need to bring your lead sheet for “Bloomdido” (treble clef version of Bloomdido).
Piano, Guitar, Bass, and Drums auditions will all use “Bloomdido” as the prepared excerpt. This Charlie Parker tune is a twelve bar blues in Bb. Click here for a recording. Piano, guitar, and bass will play the melody in unison for two choruses, then comp and improvise over the chords for “Bloomdido” (12-bar blues in Bb) for the remaining choruses. There is a pdf in bass clef as well as one in treble clef. Drummers can play time (swing) for the entirety of this portion of the audition.
In addition to “Bloomdido”, you will be given a short section of a big band chart to sight read. If you are only interested in playing in a jazz combo (not big band), then you will not be asked to sight read.
First rehearsals for both Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble will occur Friday, August 26 in GSM 110.
If you would like to play in a jazz combo, you will need to attend the Combo Meeting on August 25 at 7pm in GSM 110. Please bring your class schedules with you as we will be arranging meeting times. Please be prepared to be flexible in terms of scheduling. Jazz Combos will begin rehearsing during the second week of classes.
Each Wednesday, in GSM 110, 1:50pm-2:20pm, OSU Jazz will feature performances from students and combos. All University students are invited to attend these free public performances. The first Jazz Forum will occur 8/31 and will feature the OSU Jazz Faculty Sextet (Dr. Howard Potter – vibraphone; Brian Belanus – guitar; Prof. Glenn Dewey – bass; Bill Repavich – drums; Tommy Poole – saxophones).
If you would like to learn how to improvise jazz, consider registering for JAZZ 4002 Jazz Theory I (CRN 64386). Offered every fall semester.
For those who have already taken Jazz Theory I & II, consider registering for JAZZ 4972 Jazz Styles and Analysis (CRN 68834). Offered every fall semester.
For jazz wind instrument private lessons with Dr. Tommy Poole (sax, trumpet, trombone, etc), JAZZ 3010 (CRN 65043)
For jazz bass private lessons with Prof. Glenn Dewey, JAZZ 3010 (CRN 65046)
For guitar private lessons with Prof. Brian Belanus, JAZZ 3010 (CRN 65045)
For jazz drums private lessons with Prof. Bill Repavich, JAZZ 3010 (CRN 65047)
For jazz mallet private lessons with Dr. Howard Potter, JAZZ 3010 (CRN 65044)