Jazz Ensemble Auditions
Music Department

Each year, CSU East Bay jazz ensembles perform a number of concerts, including on-campus performances, regional, and international tours. The ensembles also perform with major guest artists at CSU East Bay’s annual jazz festival.

Participation is open to students of any major. Attendance at all rehearsals, performances, and tours is mandatory, except with the express permission of the instructor. Open to all woodwinds, brass, guitarists, pianists, and bassists (acoustic or electric), and drummers/percussionists. Jazz ensembles may fulfill the major ensemble requirement (big bands)or chamber ensemble requirement (jazz combos) for music majors.

Upon successful placement, all participants must enroll for the corresponding 1 unit course either as a regular student or through Open University.

The CSU East Bay Music Department offers the following jazz ensembles:

• MUS 3510 - Jazz Orchestra (Big Band)
• MUS 3551 - Jazz Standards Ensemble
• MUS 3552 - Contemporary Jazz Ensemble
• MUS 3553 - Blue Note Jazz Ensemble
• MUS 3554 - Latin Jazz Ensemble
• MUS 3555 - Jazz Composers' Ensemble
• MUS 3556 - Electric Jazz Ensemble

Auditions for Jazz Ensembles will take place on Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Prepare a jazz transcription (i.e., Omnibook jazz etude). Prepare a blues melody with optional improvisation. Prepare a standard melody with optional improvisation. Sightreading will be provided. Improvisation preferred but not mandatory. Students with very little jazz experience or poor sight-reading skills are encouraged to bring in a prepared piece of music in jazz or a related idiom.

To schedule your ensemble audition, please email the Music Department at music@csueastbay.edu. For other questions regarding jazz ensembles, please fill out the form below.