School of Music
Jazz Ensembles
large Jazz ensembles
Texas tech JAZZ orchestra &
texas tech JAZZ ensemble
The large jazz ensembles are a traditional ‘big band' format and perform a variety of classic, modern, and original literature. Both groups perform on-campus twice per semester and have the opportunity to work with world-renowned guest artists, and as the premier ensemble in the program, Texas Tech Jazz Orchestra also tours regularly and has performed at major collegiate jazz festivals around the country.
This ensemble may be counted toward the major ensemble requirement for undergraduate students TWICE during their four-year degree. It meets ALL major ensemble requirements for graduate students. You do not need to be a music major to join an ensemble.
Recent guest artists featured with the ensemble include Tom Harrell, Jaleel Shaw, Allen Vizzutti, Steve Houghton, Bill Watrous, Ingrid Jensen, Rich Perry, Geoffrey Keezer, Jon Riley, Conrad Herwig, Dick Oatts, Wayne Bergeron, and many others.
Jazz combos
The jazz combos are small jazz ensembles, ranging from quartet to sextet in size. They are highly selective and focus on improvisational skills and small-group arranging over a variety of jazz repertoire.
ENSEMBLE AUDITION information
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Jazz auditions are scheduled on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Anyone wishing to participate in a large jazz ensemble or jazz combo must audition. We also ask that anyone who wishes to take applied jazz improvisation lessons who has not done so before also audition.
Auditions are separated by instrument as follows:
- Saxophones will audition with Professor Jones (Jazz Lab – Rm. 211.)
- Trumpets and Trombones will audition with Professor Whalen (Rm. 103.)
- Guitar, Piano, and Bass players will audition with Professor Haugland (Rm. 210.)
- Drum set players will audition with Professor Augustinis (Rm. 125)
Drums – Be prepared to play a variety of styles, and you may also perform something that you prepared.
Bass – Prepare bass clef excerpt provided in the link above. Play a bass line in bossa nova style to the chord changes provided.
Piano/guitar – Prepare the concert key excerpt provided in the link above. Comp to the chord changes in a bossa nova style.
Individual audition signup sheets will be posted in advance of auditions by each faculty person at the locations listed above.
Auditions will consist of a prepared excerpt, sight reading, and optional improvisation*. The prepared materials and an improvisation practice track can be found here.
Stephen Jones
Questions?
Contact the Director
Director of Jazz Studies
Associate Professor of Jazz Studies
Dr. Ben Haughland
Associate Professor of Jazz Studies
Stephen Jones
Director of Jazz Studies
Associate Professor of Jazz Studies
Fabio Augustinis
Assistant Professor of Practice in Commercial Music and Jazz Studies
Dr. Kevin Whalen
Associate Professor of Trumpet & Jazz Studies
School of Music
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Address
18th and Boston Avenue Box 42033, Lubbock TX 79409-2033 -
Phone
806.742.2274 | Fax: 806.742.2294 -
Email
schoolofmusic@ttu.edu