Berkley Jazz Ensemble Auditions

2023-24 School Year

Jazz Ensemble Auditions - Correction - Monday, June 12

If you are interested in being a member of the BHS Jazz Ensemble, you will need to prepare the audition music and submit a recording to Mr. Thomann by midnight on Monday, June 12. 

Model Recording | Birds Best Bob on Verve

Alto Saxophone, Charlie Parker

Trumpet, Dizzy Gillespie

Piano, Thelonious Monk

Bass, Curly Russell

Drums, Buddy Rich

Backing Track for Practice - No Melody

All students interested in the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab need to fill out the form below.

Audition Process

1. Fill out information form above and sumbit a recording of yourself playing Bloomdido to Mr. Thomann by Monday, June 12 in schoology or email (jonathan.thomann@berkleyschools.org).

2. You must be enrolled in a band class year-round, unless you play one of the following rhythm section instruments, bass, guitar, or piano. Visit the About the BHS Bands page for more information.

3. Jazz Ensemble Instrumentation is exclusive to the following instruments and roles.

   • Lead Alto Saxophone

   • 2nd Alto Saxophone

   • Lead Tenor Saxophone

   • 2nd Tenor Saxophone

   • Baritone Saxophone

   • Lead Trombone

   • 2nd Trombone

   • 3rd Trombone

   • Bass Trombone/Tuba

   • Lead Trumpet

   • 2nd Trumpet

   • 3rd Trumpet

   • 4th Trumpet

   • Guitar

   • Acoustic Bass/Electric Bass Guitar

   • Piano

   • Drum Set

   • Aux. Percussion, e.g., Vibraphone, Timbales, etc.

4. Jazz Lab is inclusive to all instruments including Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Horn, Euphonium/Baritone, Tuba, etc. - NO AUDITION Required

5. Students auditioning for Jazz Ensemble must perform a recording of them perfming mm. 1-32, and will be asked to submit a recording in Schoology or email by June 5th at midnight. (email: jonathan.thomann@berkleyschools.org). Students who play past mm.32 will receive more credit.

6. Students must commit to regular attendance and music preparation in order to maintain their position and membership in the Jazz Programs.

7. Both Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab will perform throughout the school year, and performances may be added on occasion. Students need to do their best to avoid any conflicts to attend performances. If for some reason a conflict occurs it is there responsibility to find a “substitute” performer on their instrument for the gig.

Descriptions

Jazz Ensemble

Berkley prides itself on its strong jazz program, consistently performing and presenting itself as one the top jazz ensembles in the state. In the past, the Jazz Ensemble has been featured performers in many settings, including New Orleans, New York, and Chicago. The ensemble is comprised of top members of the Concert Ensembles, and meets before school for rehearsal. While the Jazz Ensemble is an auditioned ensemble, any musician wishing to perform jazz may partake in the Lab Band, also held before school.

Jazz Ensemble typically meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:30 am - 8:10 am in the BHS Band room.

Jazz Lab

The Berkley Jazz Lab is for any student wishing to study jazz, on any instrument. This developmental ensemble is designed for students who wish to further develop their skills in the jazz medium, including playing stylistically and improvising.

Jazz Lab typically meets on Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 7:30 am - 8:10 am in the BHS Band room.