Jazz Ensemble
The Brandeis Jazz Ensemble, open to the entire Brandeis community by audition, is composed of 15-20 musicians and led by one of Boston's best-known jazz musicians, Professor of the Practice Robert Nieske.
The ensemble explores Big Band and smaller group music by historically relevant composers and original compositions by band members and the director.
Interested vocalists, saxophone, brass (including horn, euphonium or tuba), guitar, piano, bass or drum players will be asked to play scales and arpeggios, sight read and play a prepared piece at the audition. Improvising experience is not required, but reading skills are.
Audition Requirements for Jazz Ensemble
- Prepare one medium tempo jazz piece of your choice (no ballads). This may include pieces by Ellington, Parker, Gershwin, Mingus, Monk, Porter ect. Prepare these scales in eight notes at quarter note = 60 (concert pitch)
- Major scales: B flat and F two octaves if possible
- Minor scales: C and A two octaves if possible
- Sightread chart chosen by the director
In addition to 1-4, must comp/walk over 12 bar blues.
In addition to 1-4, sing various intervals above a given root.
Play various tempo swing and latin grooves and sightread a drum part.