05/24/2025
If you're an Illinois State student or parent of a student that might be interested in auditioning for placement in a jazz ensemble in August, please read the audition information below and let me know if you have any questions:
Jazz Ensemble Auditions
August 2025
Hello all, and welcome to a new year at Illinois State University! All students interested in playing in one of the 2 Jazz Ensembles (big bands) or various jazz combos this Fall must audition prior to the first day of classes. All ISU students regardless of major are eligible to audition. Previous experience with improvisation is NOT a requirement for participation. The regular rehearsal schedule of the jazz groups is listed below. Please understand that your placement in a group may require an adjustment to your course schedule if necessary. Follow the links to sign-up-genius to reserve your audition time.
Jazz Auditions:
WHERE: Centennial East Rm 12 in the basement (Dr. Marko’s office)
WHAT: Audition requirements are listed below for each instrument
WHEN: Two days to choose from:
Friday, August 15: 10AM-3:00PM. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044BABAC2C7-57058025-jazz
Sunday, August 17: 5PM-9PM
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044BABAC2C7-57058087-jazz
If you are interested but unable to audition during the allotted times, please contact Dr. Marko at [email protected] or (309)438-2541 to set up an alternate time as soon as possible. Placement may not be possible if an audition does not happen soon enough.
See below for audition requirements. If you don’t improvise yet, or do not have access to any jazz lead sheets but are interested in playing, please audition anyway! Neither of those are requirements for being placed in an ensemble. Please consider the following rehearsal schedule as you plan your classes:
ISU Jazz Ensembles Rehearsal Schedule:
Jazz Ensemble I (top group) meets Mon/Wed 3:35-5:25 -“Ensemble (Jazz)” section 1
Jazz Ensemble II meets M/W/F 3-4:50pm -“Ensemble (Jazz)” section 2
Combo I (Top Group) Mon/Wed 1-1:50
Combo II Mon 7-8:30pm
I’m looking forward to another great year!
Please do not hesitate to email any questions, concerns or just to say “Hi”
Tom Marko, Director of Instrumental Jazz Studies
Illinois State University
(309)438-2541
[email protected]
(over for audition requirements)
Jazz Audition Requirements:
(If you don’t improvise yet, or do not have access to any jazz lead sheets but are interested in playing, please audition anyway! Neither of those are requirements for being placed in an ensemble.)
Contact Dr. Tom Marko with any questions (309)438-2541 or [email protected]
Horn players (Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone):
1) Required: Short sight-reading example.
2) Required: prepared excerpt (download for your instrument:) https://illinoisstateuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/SOMAdminOffice/SitePages/band-audition-materials.aspx?csf=1&web=1&e=ZPjDsE&CID=0e8e2036-f3ef-4405-9dcf-e4f32da345b9
3) Optional: Improvisation outlining the chord progression to Concert F or Bb blues (as indicated on lead sheet available for download)
4) Optional: If you wish to perform a prepared piece, a bebop head (melody)
such as "Au Privave", “Billie’s Bounce”, "Anthropology" is appropriate.
Piano/guitar/vibes:
1) Required: One or two short sight-reading examples.
2) Required: prepared excerpt (download) https://illinoisstateuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/SOMAdminOffice/SitePages/band-audition-materials.aspx?csf=1&web=1&e=ZPjDsE&CID=0e8e2036-f3ef-4405-9dcf-e4f32da345b9
3) Required: Comp 2 choruses and play improvised solo for two choruses over
blues in F or Bb (please use the chord progression provided for download)
4) Optional prepared piece: most any jazz standard would be fine. eg. Autumn Leaves, My Romance, Blue Bossa, Body and Soul, etc.
Bass:
Required: One or two short sight-reading examples.
Required: Walk 2 choruses over a blues in F or Bb (student may choose key)- lead sheet provided.
Required: prepared excerpt (download) https://illinoisstateuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/SOMAdminOffice/SitePages/band-audition-materials.aspx?csf=1&web=1&e=ZPjDsE&CID=0e8e2036-f3ef-4405-9dcf-e4f32da345b9
Optional: Improvisation outlining the chord progression to Concert F or Bb blues (as indicated on lead sheet available for download)
Optional prepared piece: most any jazz standard would be fine. ex. Autumn Leaves, My Romance, Blue Bossa, Body and Soul, etc.
Drums:
1) Required: Demonstrate the following styles: Medium Swing, Up-tempo Swing,
Jazz Waltz, Bossa Nova, Samba, Mambo, funk/rock.
2) Required: Trade "Fours" in a medium and up-tempo swing style.
3) Required: Short sight-reading example of a big band composition.
4) Required: prepared excerpt (download) https://illinoisstateuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/SOMAdminOffice/SitePages/band-audition-materials.aspx?csf=1&web=1&e=ZPjDsE&CID=0e8e2036-f3ef-4405-9dcf-e4f32da345b9
In all auditions I am looking for: 1) Pitch and tone quality, 2) Accurate rhythms
Jazz style (articulation, time feel, etc.)
