2025-26 Audition Materials for Jazz Ensembles

Auditions for the 2025-2026 Northwest Jazz Ensemble and Studio Jazz Ensemble will be held ONLINE this year. Recordings are due Saturday, August 23, at 10:00 p.m. and must be submitted to Dr. Richardson’s email address (billr@nwmissouri.edu – see submission instructions below).

Auditions are open to ALL majors! Students do NOT need to be a music major to participate.

Overview

1. Click on the pdf file for your instrument below; follow all instructions, prepare all pages, and record/submit using the instructions below.
2. Other required material for all instruments includes:
   1. 2 Major scales (multiple octaves whenever possible/appropriate; NO ARPEGGIOS)
   2. Improvisation is optional. If you wish to be considered as a soloist, prepare some concert F Blues (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttn7D-WB9R0 – two choruses) or “All the Things You Are” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgqDOnU_lpM – play the head, then one chorus).
   3. Jazz drum-set auditions, please play the following grooves (16 measures each): slow swing, bossa nova, jazz waltz, fast swing, and samba.

If the level of audition music is too difficult for you and you want to participate in the Studio Jazz Ensemble (MW 1:00-1:50) only, please email Dr. Richardson (billr@nwmissouri.edu) and tell him what instrument you play.

How do I submit my audition?

1. Your audition must be submitted via:
   1. an unlisted (but shareable) YouTube link (preferred)
   2. a shareable Northwest OneDrive link
   3. a shareable Dropbox link
   4. a shareable Google Drive link
2. ALL audition material (excerpts/etudes/scales/etc.) must be recorded in one continuous take. 
   • Pro-tip – Record/save as many takes of the entire audition material as you like, then submit your link to the best one…
3. DOUBLE-CHECK to make sure you’ve made your link shareable, then forward the link to the following email address: billr@nwmissouri.edu
   • DO NOT send a video file via email attachment. Use only one of the methods described above.

When are virtual auditions due?

1. All audition submissions are due on or before (preferred) Saturday, August 23.
2. As mentioned above, submit the link to your video by email to the following email address: billr@nwmissouri.edu

Download Audition Materials

• Alto Saxophone
• Bari Saxophone
• Tenor Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Bass Trombone
• Piano
• Guitar
• Bass
• Drums