audition information:
– Audition materials will be made available through this website in mid June.
– In order to be selected for the jazz band, students must score a minimum of 80% on the jazz band audition and rank among the top auditonees.
– Typically, the VHS jazz band will consist of 5-6 saxophones, 4-5 trumpets, 4-5 trombones, 1-2 drummers, 1-2 guitarists, 1-2 bassists, and 1-2 pianists.
– Students interested in auditioning should meet with Mr. Giannelli during Directed Study time on one of the first four days of school (August 25th through 28th) to sign-up for an audition date and time.
– Auditions will be held from August 29th through September 5th.
– The first official rehearsal for the selected jazz band members will be held on September 11th from 2:30-3:10.
audition materials for fall 2025:
PART I: RHYTHMS
DOWNLOAD the rhythm sheet, read the directions, and prepare all rhythms.
* Please note that preparation of the rhythms is the second most important part of your jazz band audition.
PART II: BLUES SCALES
* WINDS, GUITAR, BASS, & PIANO: DOWNLOAD the blues scale sheet and choose two scales to perform from memory. Both scales should be swung and performed two octaves. Try to pick one scale to demonstrate your range.
* DRUMMERS: Rather than preparing scales, you should be prepared to demonstrate a SWING, LATIN, and ROCK beat. Each beat should last for 16 measures with a short fill on every fourth measure. The final fill (measure 16) should come to a conclusion to end the beat.
PART III: JAZZ EXCERPTS
DOWNLOAD the excerpts and print and practice the pages for your instrument.
Each instrument has two or three excerpts. SAXOPHONE, GUITAR, PIANO, and DRUMMERS: Please note that there are two pages.
* Please note that your preparation of the Jazz Excerpts is the MOST IMPORTANT part of your jazz band audition.
PART IV: SONG OF YOUR CHOICE
Play a piece of music (or an excerpt) that you are very confident about. Your choice should be 1-2 minutes in length.
Choose something that you enjoy playing, but also shows off your abilities on your instrument.
* This is a great place to show off your tone, musicality, and range.
PART V: SIGHT READING (only as needed)
This material will be used as a tie-breaker only.
If needed, you may be asked to come back and sight read anex cerpt from a moderately easy high school jazz piece.
