Audition for a Jazz Ensemble

Interested in Jazz at Luther?

Jazz Orchestra Rehearsal Schedule:
M-W-F from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m., and T-Th from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Orchestra Room of Jenson-Noble Hall of Music
First rehearsal: Wednesday, August 30

Jazz Band Rehearsal Schedule:
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. in the Orchestra Room
First rehearsal: Friday, September 1

Following the spring 2024 semester, Jazz Orchestra will tour internationally to Brazil.

Jazz Audition Schedule for Fall 2023

All auditions will take place in the Sperati Band Room, except where otherwise noted.

NOTE:  Excerpts linked below are from 2022; check back later for 2023 audition requirements.

Monday, August 28:

• Bass and Drums: 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Trumpets: 4:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
• Trombones(Tenor/Bass): 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 29:

• Piano and Guitar: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Combined Rhythm Section (bass, drums, piano, and guitar): 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 30:

• Saxophones (round 1): after 2:00 p.m. in studio JN-195, Professor Hart’s Studio
• Saxophones (round 2): 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in Sperati Band Room

All auditions will take place in the Sperati Band Room, except where otherwise noted.

Jazz Audition Information

Auditions will consist of prepared jazz excerpts, sight-reading, and improvisation on a jazz standard or blues tune of your choice.

• Prepared excerpts are available to download from this webpage.
• Improvisation may be accompanied with a play along recording (using a CD player or auxiliary input). Be prepared to play the melody of the tune and improvise multiple choruses. Memorization is not required, but encouraged.
• Saxophonists should also prepare a solo transcription of your choice and the doubling excerpts on clarinet and flute.
• Sign-up time sheets and hard copy excerpts will be posted on the Jenson-Noble studio 163 bulletin board.
• If you are interested in learning to improvise, consider signing up for jazz improvisation lessons or the Principles of Improvisation course (spring semester).

Questions? Please contact Tony Guzmán (guzmanto@luther.edu), 563-387-1354; or Lynne Hart (postly01@luther.edu).