Dear Incoming, Jazz-Affiliated Students;

Welcome to the University of Virginia and to the Department of Music! Thank you for your interest in pursuing Jazz at UVA.

The audition for both Jazz Ensemble (extended big band) and the Jazz Chamber Groups (combos) will be held on the first Monday of classes, Monday, Sept. 2^nd, at 7:30 PM in room B18 of Old Cabell Hall.

It will be important to attend as we place people into the Jazz Ensemble and the small groups from that audition. It is a great time to meet other people interested in playing jazz at UVA, to meet some of the jazz faculty, and to get acquainted with the inclusive atmosphere fostered by the jazz community, here, as a whole. 

At UVA we are interested in developing the individual voices of our jazz students.  The Jazz Ensemble follows the Duke Ellington model: the aggregate of distinct musical personalities creates the sound and direction of the whole.  We play music from the entire big band tradition but also explore new music and original compositions/arrangements from within the band. Students are invited to contribute compositions and arrangements.

The important step of signing our “audition guest-book” (available only at the audition!) is a central feature of this meeting so we can keep track of everyone.

Vocalists interested in singing jazz should sign up and we will do individual vocal auditions. Returning members should come to this meeting and sign up as well. Callbacks may be required.

The audition is, basically, an open jam session.  Come prepared to play/improvise, (if you wish,) and read. The informal audition will consist of reading through a chart, with others, and improvising over a simple chord progression if you choose to improvise.  Musicians will be notified of the audition results by the jazz faculty and are assigned to a group based on stated interest and ability. If you can't make the audition or callbacks, or if you have other questions, please call me at 434-531-5252.

Ability to improvise and jazz experience are not prerequisites for playing jazz at UVA.  The suggested guidelines, below, are there to show some of the skills a progressing jazz student acquires.  But we are open to newbies who can play their instruments and want to play jazz!

As the Jazz Ensemble/Performance Director I see my role as assisting each music student to find a solid individual path in music while here; one that will carry that player into the next phases of life with full access to their own musical identity.

Peace and Rhythm,

John D’earth