Fall '25 OSU Jazz Placement Auditions
Scroll below to you instrument group to find details (including pdf excerpts) for your jazz placement audition. Everyone is encouraged to audition regardless of major.
Rhythm Section Auditions
(guitar, piano, bass, and drums)
Prepared piece is “Dig” (pdf’s available in treble clef or bass clef)
OSU Jazz rhythm section auditions will occur on Tuesday, August 19 at 6pm in GSM 110. If you want to play in a big band or combo, you must attend this audition. For this audition, I will hear you play in combo format. There is no signup sheet for the rhythm section auditions. Everyone please arrive promptly at 6pm with your lead sheet for “Dig”.
Drummers: Drums and cymbals will be set up for you so that all you have to do is show up. We will also take care of teardown. You’ll just need to bring your lead sheet for “Dig” and your sticks and brushes (if you also have brushes). Drummers may be asked to play different grooves to show their range of styles (medium swing, fast swing, bossa nova, swing waltz, Afro Cuban, Funk, swing with brushes).
Bassists: A bass amp will be set up for you. You will need to bring your bass, instrument cable, and lead sheet for “Dig” (bass clef version).
Guitarists: A guitar amp will be set up for you. You will need to bring your guitar, instrument cable, and lead sheet for “Dig” (treble clef version).
Pianists: A Steinway grand piano will be set up for you. You will only need to bring your lead sheet for “Dig” (treble clef version).
Piano, Guitar, Bass, and Drums auditions will all use “Dig” as the prepared excerpt.
This Miles Davis tune is based on the chord changes of "Sweet Georgia Brown". Click
here for a recording.
Piano, guitar, and bass will play the melody in unison for the first chorus. Play time (bass walks, guitar/piano comp’s) for the slash chords at mm13-16. After the melody chorus, comp and take turns improvising over the chords for “Dig”. There is a pdf in bass clef as well as one in treble clef. Drummers can play time (swing) for the entirety of this portion of the audition.
In addition to “Dig”, you will be given a short section of a big band chart to sight read. If you are only interested in playing in a jazz combo (not big band), then you will not be asked to sight read.
NEW THIS YEAR: If you want to be considered for the Jazz Orchestra rhythm section, you must additionally prepare the big band charts for “A Shade of Jade”. If you are not trying to make Jazz Orchestra, you can ignore the "A Shade of Jade" portion of the audition.
Jazz Saxophone Auditions
Alto & Baritone Saxophone excerpt
Jazz saxophone auditions will occur Monday, August 18, 7pm-9:15pm in GSM 407. If you want to play in a big band or combo, you must attend this audition. I will hear you individually on your main saxophone. Doubling on flute and/or clarinet is encouraged though not required. I will have a piece ready for you to sight read on flute and/or clarinet if you want to play flute and/or clarinet. Improvising is also encouraged though not required. For those wanting to improvise at the audition, I will have a stereo system ready to play any song from the iRealPro jazz standard library. In addition to the prepared excerpt (link above), you will be given a short piece to sight read.
A signup sheet is now posted on my office door (GSM 407). Please come by and sign up for your audition time slot.
Jazz Trumpet Auditions
Jazz trumpet auditions will occur on Sunday, August 19 starting at 7:30pm in GSM 110. If you want to play in a big band or combo, you must attend this audition. I will hear you individually for approximately five minutes. All trumpeters should prepare the "section trumpet" excerpt for the audition. You will also be given a short piece to sight read. Those auditioning for a lead trumpet chair should additionally prepare the "Lead Trumpet" excerpt. Improvising is also encouraged though not required. For those wanting to improvise at the audition, I will have a stereo system ready to play any song from the iRealPro jazz standard library.
A signup sheet is now posted on my office door (GSM 407). Please come by and sign up for your audition time slot.
Jazz Trombone Auditions
Jazz trombone auditions will occur on Sunday, August 20 starting at 7pm in GSM 110. If you want to play in a big band or combo, you must attend this audition. I will hear you individually for approximately five minutes. Please prepare the tenor trombone excerpt or bass trombone excerpt for your audition. You will also be given a short piece to sight read. Improvising is also encouraged though not required. For those wanting to improvise at the audition, I will have a stereo system ready to play any song from the iRealPro jazz standard library.
A signup sheet is now posted on my office door (GSM 407). Please come by and sign up for your audition time slot.
Registration Information
- Jazz Orchestra; JAZZ 3610/5610 (CRN 64109 undergraduate / 64113 graduate) meets MWF 2:30-3:20 in GSM 110.
- Jazz Ensemble; JAZZ 3620/5620 (CRN 64110 undergraduate / 64114 graduate) meets MWF 11:30-12:20 in GSM 110.
- Jazz Combo; JAZZ 4600/5600 (CRN 64111 undergraduate / CRN 64112 graduate); meeting times to be determined. Combos meets twice weekly for one hour. Combos rehearse on weekday evenings.
- First rehearsals for both Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble will occur Friday, August 22 in GSM 110.
Jazz Combos
If you would like to play in a jazz combo, you will need to attend the Combo Scheduling Meeting on August 20 at 8:30pm
in GSM 110. Please bring your class schedules with you as we will be arranging meeting times.
Please be prepared to be flexible in terms of scheduling. Jazz Combos will begin rehearsing during the second week of classes.
Jazz Theory I
If you would like to learn how to improvise jazz, consider registering for JAZZ 4002 Jazz Theory I (CRN 63288). Offered every fall semester.
Jazz Lessons
To be eligible to take jazz lessons, you must be a declared jazz minor or jazz performance major.
- For jazz wind instrument private lessons with Dr. Tommy Poole (sax, trumpet, trombone, etc), JAZZ 3010 (CRN 63768)
- For jazz piano private lessons with Prof. Max Holm, JAZZ 3010 (CRN 70079)
- For jazz bass private lessons with Prof. Glenn Dewey, JAZZ 3010 (CRN 63771)
- For guitar private lessons with Prof. Brian Belanus, JAZZ 3010 (CRN 63770)
- For jazz drums private lessons with Prof. Michael Bremo, JAZZ 3010 (CRN 63772)
- For jazz mallets private lessons with Dr. Howard Potter, JAZZ 3010 (CRN 63769)
Jazz Forum (every Wednesday)
Each Wednesday, in GSM 110, 12:30pm-1:20pm, OSU Jazz will feature performances from students and combos. All University students are invited
to attend these free public performances. Jazz Forum counts for Recital Attendance
credit. The first Jazz Forum will occur 8/27/25 and will feature Korey Hicks who will give a presentation
on how to launch a successful YouTube channel, On 11/19/25, Musician Casting Specialist
for Princess Cruises. Mr. Shackelford will explain how to get a cruise ship gig as
well as benefits and compensation. During his residency, Mr. Shackelford will also
be auditioning students for Princess Cruises.
Princess Cruises Auditions
11/19/25; 3:45pm-9:30pm; GSM 221
11/20/25 (if more times are needed); 9am-11:30am; GSM 221