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Overview
This ensemble consists of trumpets, trombones, saxes, piano,
drums, bass, and guitar. The repertoire typically includes
traditional big band music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington,
and Woody Herman, as well as contemporary music of such
groups as Spyro Gyra. Music by local composers, such as
Matt Harris, are also performed.
Auditions
Please pay attention to the specific requirements
for each instrument given below. Generally speaking if
you performed in a jazz band in high school you will be successful
in performing the music performed by the RIT Jazz Lab Ensemble.
- Saxophone
Please prepare this
excerpt for saxophone (PDF). In addition, be prepared for sight-reading
and, if you are capable, improvising on a concert Bb blues.
- Trumpet
Please prepare this
excerpt for trumpet (PDF).
In addition, be prepared for sight-reading and, if you
are capable, improvising on a concert Bb blues. In addition
you will be asked to arpeggiate through open tones, starting
on low C, as high as you can play. In other words, please
be in shape.
- Trombone
Please prepare this
excerpt for trombone (PDF). In addition, be prepared
for sight-reading and, if you are capable, improvising on
a concert Bb blues. Historically speaking, trombone is the
most sought after instrument in the ensembles. In other words,
if you are breathing, you’ll probably get a
chance to play in one of the two big bands.
- Guitar
Please prepare this
excerpt for guitar (PDF).
In addition, be prepared for sight-reading and, if you
are capable, improvising on a concert Bb blues. Also, please
be aware that the audition for Guitar is based primarily
on your ability to read printed music. Sight-reading will
be a crucial part of your audition requirement.
- Piano
Please prepare this
excerpt for piano (PDF). In
addition, be prepared for sight-reading and, if you are
capable, improvising on a concert Bb blues. Also, please
be aware that the audition for Piano is based primarily
on your ability to read printed music. Sight-reading will
be a crucial part of your audition requirement. Realizing
chord symbols into appropriate piano voicings will also
be a crucial part of the audition. If you cannot read chord
symbols, but are still a strong reader, than please audition.
Training in chord symbol realization is part of the RIT
Jazz Ensemble experience.
- Bass
Please prepare this
excerpt for bass (PDF). In
addition, be prepared for sight-reading and, if you are
capable, improvising on a concert Bb blues. Also, please
be aware that the audition for Bass is based primarily
on your ability to read printed music. Sight-reading will
be a crucial part of your audition requirement. In addition,
realizing chord symbols into appropriate bass figures will
also be a crucial part of the audition. If you cannot read
chord symbols, but are still a strong reader, than please
audition. Training in chord symbol realization is part
of the RIT Jazz Ensemble experience.
- Drums
Please prepare this
excerpt for drums (PDF). In
addition, be prepared for sight-reading and, if you are
capable, improvising on a 12 bar Bb blues format for at
least two choruses. Also, please be aware that the audition
for Drums is based primarily on your ability to read printed
music and know how to kick the band based on the printed
music. Sight-reading will be a crucial part of your audition
requirement. Those who pass the initial audition will be
asked to audition with the band on the first rehearsal,
Tuesday, September 5th at 6:30 PM in the music room.
Works Performed Recently
Here is a list of works that have been performed by the
RIT Jazz Ensembles over the past five years:
- Bill Liston - The Longest Hour
- David Berger - Business As Usual
- Duke Ellington - The Mooche
- Earl Hagen - Harlem Nocturne
- Frank Mantooth - I Know What I’m Here For
- Frank Mantooth - That Old Black Magic
- Frank Mantooth - The Louis Shuffle
- Gene Thorne - Layover In San Juan
- Jeff Beal - Blues-It is
- Jeff Jarvis - Honk
- Jeff Jarvis - Old School
- Jeff Jarvis - Pure & Simple
- Jon Kruger - Big Dave
- Jon Kruger - Bossa Contrapunctus
- Jon Kruger - Simone Sez
- Jon Kruger - The Quarter-Mile Blues
- Kenny Dorham - Hill’s Edge
- Mike Lewis - One More For The Count
- Mike Steinel - Weaselwalk
- Mike Tomaro - One For Oliver
- Richard Saucedo - Mosaic
- Rick Lawn - Small Wonders
- Sammy Nestico - Wind Machine
Credit
Students can register for this 1 credit course.
Membership
Members are selected by audition.
Rehearsals
Wednesdays
7:00PM - 8:30PM (Jazz Lab Ensemble)
8:30PM - 10:00PM (Jazz Ensemble)
SAU Music Room (A120)
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