KMEA All-State Jazz Band
2020-21 Audition Excerpts

Participation Eligibility Requirements

There are three requirements for a student to be eligible to audition for KMEA All-State Jazz Band membership:
  1. The student must first be a performing member of their District's 2020-21 KMEA Band, Jazz Ensemble, or Orchestra.
  2. The student's director must be a member of KMEA, will register each audition online, and send the Audition Invoice with appropriate payment to the KMEA All-State Ensembles Manager. These must be completed by the deadline established by KMEA.
  3. The student must be deemed an eligible freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in good standing in their high school.
Music Requirements for the Live Audition:

For all instruments except drumset: A New Approach to Jazz Improvisation, Volume 13, Cannonball Adderley, by Jamey Aebersold, 1211 Aebersold Drive, New Albany, IN 47150.

For drumset: Ultimate Drumset Reading Anthology, by Steve Houghton (Alfred Publications) All auditions will be performed with accompaniment play along recordings.

Horn Auditions - Create three mp3 files, as listed below:

  1. [mp3 file #1] Chromatic scale, using quarter notes at the metronome marking of 120 beats per minute. Students are to slur up and tongue down the full range of the instrument.
  2. [mp3 file #2] "Unit 7" - Play melody one time through.
  3. [mp3 file #3] "Work Song" - Play the melody twice through.
  4. [include this element in mp3 file #3 at the end of the file] Optional Improvisation on "Work Song" - After playing the melody twice through, continue for two full improvised choruses. This effort is optional, but highly encouraged.
  5. Sight reading
Optional Lead Trumpet Audition (in addition to above material)
  1. [include this element in mp3 file #1 after the Chromatic scale] Play a one-octave F major scale ascending in quarter notes at quarter note equals MM 80, starting on the top line of the staff.
  2. [include this element in mp3 file #1 after the F major scale] Play provided lead trumpet part (Download)
Optional Bass Trombone Audition (in addition to above material)
  1. [include this element in mp3 file #1 after the Chromatic scale] Play a one-octave B-flat major scale, descending in quarter notes at quarter note equals MM 80, starting on second-line B-flat.
  2. [include this element in mp3 file #1 after the B-flat major scale] Play provided bass trombone part (Download)
Rhythm Section Auditions

Piano - Create two mp3 files, as listed below:
  1. [mp3 file #1] "Unit 7" - Using the left channel only (bass & drums) of the stereo play along recording, play one chorus of right-hand melody with left-hand accompaniment, followed by one chorus of two-handed chordal accompaniment.
  2. [mp3 file #2] "Work Song" - Using the left channel only (bass & drums), play two choruses of the right-handed melody with an appropriate left-hand chordal accompaniment. Optional: Continue for two more choruses of improvisation.
  3. Sight reading
Guitar - Create two mp3 files, as listed below:
  1. [mp3 file #1] "Unit 7" - Using the left channel only (bass & drums), play the melody for one chorus, followed by one chorus of appropriate chordal accompaniment.
  2. [mp3 file #2] "Work Song" - Using the left channel only (bass & drums), play a chordal accompaniment for two choruses. Start at the beginning of the track again; this time using left and right channels; play the melody twice through. Optional: Continue for two more choruses of improvisation.
  3. Sight reading
Bass - Create two mp3 files, as listed below:
  1. [mp3 file #1] "Unit 7" - Using only the right channel (piano & drums), play the melody for one chorus followed by an appropriate bass line for one chorus.
  2. [mp3 file #2] "Work Song" - Using the right channel only (piano & drums), play two times through the melody then two choruses of a bass line (appropriate to accompany the melody). Optional: Continue for two choruses with an improvised solo.
  3. Sight reading
Drums - Create five mp3 files, as listed below:
Play the following with the accompaniment CD (turn the drum channel off).
  1. [mp3 file #1] "Basie, Straight Ahead" - Play from the beginning to letter F.
  2. [mp3 file #2] "I'll Never Smile Again" - Play from the beginning through measure 34.
  3. [mp3 file #3] "Rio Rhythm" - Play the first 32 measures.
  4. [mp3 file #4] "Fall Leaves" - Play the first 32 measures.
  5. [mp3 file #5] "Voyage Home" - Play from the beginning through the first ending.
  6. Sight reading