Jazz Ensemble Auditions

All jazz majors and any other students interested in participating in a jazz ensemble must complete an audition. Your audition will determine your placement in combos and big bands (Jazz Orchestra , Jazz Ensemble and University Jazz Band).

Register for Your Jazz Audition

Fall 2026 auditionees: additional registration slots will be added for various studios throughout August.

Our jazz ensemble auditions are a two-step process:

1. Record and submit a link to a YouTube video containing your technique and improvisation components during registration (details below).
2. Complete a brief individual audition with your applied studio.

Both will be used in determining ensemble placement. Jazz majors must participate in these auditions.

Your video submission should consist of a single, unedited video uploaded to YouTube and shared via hyperlink in your registration form.

For your individual audition, you will be asked to demonstrate all of the technique, improvisation and sight reading skills indicated in your instrument’s requirements section below. Trumpet and trombone players should prepare one or both excerpts depending on what roles they prefer to be considered for.

As of Fall 2026, we are adopting the ILMEA Senior Etudes as part of our audition process. Links to excerpts with further instructions can be found in the Wind, Rhythm Section, and Drum Audition Requirements section below.

Please bring a copy of your class schedule to your audition. Review large ensemble meeting times below and let your applied studio instructor know of any conflicts between potential ensemble placements and required courses you’re enrolled in for the semester.

Questions should be directed to Roosevelt Griffin at rgriffin2@niu.edu.

Wind Audition Requirements

Requirements for saxophone, trumpet, and trombone players can be found below.

• Alto Sax Etude (PDF)
• Tenor Sax Etude (PDF)
• Bari Sax Etude (PDF)
• Lead Trumpet Etude (PDF)
• Trumpet Etude (PDF)
• Tenor Trombone Etude (PDF)
• Bass Trombone Etude (PDF)

Video Submission Guidelines

Record your instrument’s etude from bar 17 (with pickups, if applicable) without a backing track. Also include in your video a blues heads of your choice with one chorus of improvisation. Your blues should be played with a backing track. Optionally, you may also include a chorus of improvisation over B♭ rhythm changes.

Technique

Scales and technical exercises determined by the applied teacher and common triad and seventh chord arpeggios (major, minor, dominant, diminished).

Improvisation

You will prepare a blues melody of choice with two choruses of improvisation. In addition, please prepare a rhythm changes or standard melody of choice with one chorus of improvisation.

Sight Reading

A lead sheet of a standard or common jazz tune may be provided for sight reading. Improvisation over the progression in provided sight-reading examples may be expected as well.

Rhythm Section Requirements

Requirements for guitar, piano, and bass players can be found below. Drum audition requirements can be found in the separate section further down the page.

• Guitar Etude (PDF)
• Piano Etude (PDF)
• Bass Etude (PDF)

Video Submission Guidelines

Record your instrument’s etude without a backing track, considering the following:

Piano and guitar players: Comp in an appropriate style for the first 16 bars of the etude, then perform as written for the remaining 16 bars.

Bassists: Walk a bassline for the 16 bars of the etude, then perform as written for the remaining 16 bars.

Also include in your video a blues heads of your choice with one chorus of improvisation. Your blues should be played with a backing track. Optionally, you may also include a chorus of improvisation over B♭ rhythm changes.

Technique

Scales and technical exercises determined by the applied teacher and common triad and seventh chord arpeggios (major, minor, dominant, diminished). Guitarists should prepare these exercises in multiple positions.

Improvisation

You will prepare a blues melody of choice with two choruses of improvisation. In addition, please prepare a rhythm changes or standard melody of choice with one chorus of improvisation. Guitarists and pianists will be asked to comp over these tunes in an appropriate style, and bassists will be asked to walk.

Sight Reading

A lead sheet of a standard or common jazz tune may be provided for sight reading. Soloing, comping, or walking over the progression in provided sight-reading examples may be expected as well.

Drum Audition Requirements

• Drum Set Etude (PDF)

Video Submission Guidelines

Record the entire drum set etude as written, including solo fills where indicated. Include in your video submission the styles listed in the Technique section below.

Technique

Demonstration of Shuffle, 3/4 Samba, Afro-Cuban 6/8 (Bembé) and 3-2 Clave Guaguancó styles. Play each style for 16 bars with transitionary setups in between.

Improvisation

Perform and improvise to backing tracks over jazz standards in AABA form and 12-bar blues form.

Sight Reading

Sight reading may be provided in your audition. Observe styles, solo sections, and any notated hits.

Ensemble Schedule