On this page, you will find all of the necessary information and resources for your audition.
All students looking to audition for JazzU are required to submit a pre-screening video audition. Video auditions must be submitted in Spring of 2025. Applicants must be an incoming 8th–12th grade student for the ’25/26 Academic Year.
Students who pass the pre-screen will be contacted in the first week of May to schedule an in-person audition, which will take place in June. Auditions are held in the Centene Jazz Education Center, located on the 3rd floor of Steward Center, home of Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103.
Applications for the 2024-25 season are not closed. If you applied but have not been contacted by a JSL staff member, please contact Travis Lewis, Education Manager, at [email protected].
Important Dates & Deadlines
Applications for the ’25/26 JazzU program will be due in Spring of 2025.
Step 1. Pre-Screen Audition (2024)
For submission link and more info click here.
YouTube is the preferred platform for submissions. Please ensure that your video is uploaded to YouTube and that the link you submit is either public or unlisted, as we cannot view videos marked as “Private”. Once you’ve uploaded your audition as an unlisted YouTube video, submit the link using the pre-screen audition form.
Your video should be titled “[Your Name] JazzU Audition 2024.” If you are unable to use YouTube for your submission, please contact Travis Lewis directly at [email protected]. Submissions not adhering to these instructions will not be considered. For any additional questions or concerns regarding the pre-screen process, reach out to Travis Lewis at [email protected].
Step 2. In-Person Audition (2024)
Applicants can expect to receive notifications during the first week of May regarding the results of their pre-screening videos, along with additional details about the in-person auditions scheduled for June 9–11.
The in-person audition will mirror the pre-screening audition with the optional addition of a transcription (more information below).
Audition Dates
Sunday, June 9 – Woodwinds
Monday, June 10 – Brass
Tuesday, June 11 – Rhythm Section / Vocals
*If you cannot make the day specified for your instrument, we will find a time for you. All instruments are welcome and if your instrument does not fit into any of the categories above, you will still be assigned an audition time.
Audition Results
Here you can view our 2023-24 JazzU Groups.
Audition Procedures
Horns
Horn players will be required to play the melody and improvise over one of the 3 blues melodies listed in the audition materials and “Blue Bossa.” They may also be asked to play scales (major and chromatic) chosen at random by the audition judges.
Vocals
Students auditioning on voice have the same requirements as horn players. They will be expected to sing the melodies using scat syllables. Students will also be asked to improvise over their chosen songs. The optional transcription is recommended for vocalists, as well, and the audition judges may ask vocalists to sing scales or arpeggios of basic chords.
Guitar/Piano/Vibes
Comping instruments will be asked to play the melody, improvise, and comp for another soloist over one of the 3 blues heads listed in the audition materials and “Blue Bossa.” They may also be asked to play scales (major and chromatic) chosen at random by the audition judges.
Bass
Bass players should be able to play the melody, improvise, and “walk” bass lines over one of the three blues melodies listed in the audition materials and “Blue Bossa.” They may also be asked to play scales (major and chromatic) chosen at random by the audition judges.
Drums
Drummers will be asked to accompany the house band over one of the 3 blues tunes listed in the audition materials in the following format: play behind the melody on brushes, switch to sticks to accompany another soloist, then trade fours.
Drummers will also be asked to demonstrate the following styles:
Bossa Nova
Samba
Shuffle
Playing a Swing Feel in Odd Meters (in 3 or 5)
They may also be asked to demonstrate basic rudiments chosen at random by the audition judges.
Transcription
This section is not required but is strongly recommended.
For everyone besides drummers, prepare two choruses of one of the following solos:
Miles Davis’s solo on “Freddie Freeloader,” from Kind of Blue
J.J. Johnson’s solo on “Blue Trombone,” from The Trombone Master
For Drummers, transcribe the first 40 seconds of the following solo:
Max Roach’s “For Big Sid,” from Drums Unlimited
By “transcription,” we mean that students should repeatedly listen to the specific version of one of the solos mentioned above and learn to play the solo by ear. Students should not use an already written-out solo, nor should they write out the solo themselves. The goal is for them to learn the solo by ear and emulate either Miles or J.J. to the best of their ability. This will help us accurately assess both the student’s abilities and skill level.
Application Materials and Resources
Please direct any questions to Travis Lewis, Education Manager, at [email protected].
Audition Materials
Below are lead sheets in concert pitch for each audition tune. Lyrics are included on those songs that have lyrics. Only pick one from each category and make sure you download the correct lead sheet for your instrument. Also listed with each tune is a suggested reference recording. Use the reference recording to help learn the tunes, phrase the melody, and improvise.
All of the blues melodies are on one sheet and can be downloaded here: Concert Pitch, Bass Clef, Eb Instruments, Bb Instruments.
“Now’s the Time”, Charlie Parker, The Essential Charlie Parker
“C-Jam Blues”, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, The Great Summit (recorded as “Duke’s Place”)
“Sonnymoon for Two”, Sonny Rollins, A Night at the Village Vanguard, Vol. 2
Latin
“Blue Bossa”, Joe Henderson, Page One: Concert Pitch, Bass Clef, Eb Instruments, Bb Instruments
Questions can be directed to Travis Lewis, Education Manager, at [email protected].