Music
Jazz Auditions
Big Band Auditions, Fall 2026
If you are planning on playing in an instrumental jazz ensemble this term, you must audition. All CWU jazz ensembles are auditioned groups (this includes all student run jazz ensembles).
Instrumental audition materials will be published on September 16. Instrumental auditions are scored based on the following:
- Sight Reading - 50%
- Tone - 15%
- Style - 15%
- Prepared Melody - 10%
- Improvisation - 10%
Jazz Rally
All students enrolled in Jazz are required to attend the Jazz Rally in the Recital Hall on Tuesday September 28 at 7:00pm.
Jazz Band Sign Up Links
- Saxophone: Wednesday September 23, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- Trumpet: Wednesday September 23, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Trombone: Thursday, September 24, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- Rhythm Section: Thursday, September 24, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Rhythm Section Callbacks: Thursday September 24, 7:00 p.m.
Horn Players
- Chromatic Scale from lowest note to highest note on your instrument
- Play the Melody to "Pent Up House" (PDF) (YouTube)
- Improvise two choruses of Bb Blues (PDF) (YouTube)
- Lead Trumpet: "Stompin at the Savoy" J-M (Starts at 3:15) (PDF) (YouTube)
- Sight Reading
Piano
- Major Scales, 2 hand 4 octaves
- Play the Melody to "Pent Up House" (PDF) (YouTube)
- Comp two choruses of Bb Blues, 3 or 4 note rootless voicings (PDF) (YouTube)
- Impriov two choruses of Bb Blues (PDF) (YouTube)
- Sight Reading
Bass
- Major Scales, 2 octaves, 2 different fingerings
- Play the Melody to "Pent Up House" (PDF) (YouTube)
- Play one chorus of Blues in Bb in a 2 feel (PDF) (YouTube)
- Play one chorus of blues in Bb with a walking bass line (PDF) (YouTube)
- Play one chorus of TBA (YouTube)
- Improve (solo) on two choruses of Blues in Bb (PDF) (YouTube)
- Sight Reading
Rhythm Section
Rhythm section auditions will be done in sections (piano, bass, drums, guitar). You will be evaluated based on how well you play individually, and how you function as a member of the rhythm section. Particular attention will be given to groove, idiomatic jazz comping styles, and group interaction. Auditions will take roughly one hour. Plan on being available for that entire hour.
Drums
- Be prepared to play the following Jazz Grooves - Sticks and Brushes:
- Medium swing - in 4
- Medium swing - in 2 feel
- Uptempo Swing
- Ballad
- Jazz Waltz
- Bossa Nova
- Samba
- Afro Cuban 6-8
- Cha-Cha-Cha
- Mambo
Rhythm Section Callbacks, Thursday September 24, 7:00 p.m.
Students invited to call backs should be prepared to play:
Combo Auditions
Combo Auditions Combo auditions will be on Thursday September 24, 2:00 p.m. in the jazz room. Students wishing to play in one of the CWU jazz combos will be asked to play the melody and improvise over one of the following.
Vocal Jazz Auditions
Vocal Jazz Ensembles are open to all students
Class times
- Vocal Jazz 1 – MTWF 1:00-1:50 p.m. (Prof. Vijay Singh, Director)
- Vocal Jazz 2 – T/R 3:30-4:50 p.m. (Prof. Vijay Singh, Director)
Auditions will contain
- Vocalizing – test range, vocal flexibility, technique, “chops”
- Ear Training – outline Major/minor scales and triads, augmented, diminished, whole tone & chromatic scales, intervals (If you have not had experience with a lot of these, please tell me and I will move on to the rest of the audition…do your best and be honest!)
- Sight Reading – you will be given a piece to sight read on the spot….I may ask you to sight read different parts (S,A,T,B)….you will get about 15 seconds to prepare, then sight sing the best you can
- Vocal Jazz -Jazz Solo – pick a jazz tune that you can sing in jazz style (swing, bebop, ballad, etc.); Examples – something from a fake book, jazz standard, etc……no pop tunes, art songs, or arias please! Bring the lead sheet w/you to the audition, preferably transposed if needed…….you may bring your own accompanist if preferred.
I am listening for your technical skills, looking for your entertainment skills as a performer, and seeking your character & commitment……..good luck!
Auditions
Vocal Jazz auditions are held at the beginning of fall quarter. If you would like to audition at another time please contact Prof. Singh.
Callbacks
If necessary, callbacks/sing-offs will be announced and will focus on sight reading ability and improv skills.
Additional Information
Vocal Jazz 1 is a year- long commitment (F/W/S quarters) and their VJ1 retreat is Oct. 1st Saturday from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. (Mandatory.) Sign up days/times are posted on Prof. Singh’s office door!
CWU News
Ellensburg has helped CWU’s Campus Executive Chef reach new heights
September 30, 2026 by David Leder
Encanto Arts residency at CWU to feature internationally acclaimed musicians
September 30, 2026 by Rune Torgersen