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Grissom High School Band

jazz information

Scroll down for 23-24 jazz audition materials

Boost your knowledge of the Jazz Blues by watching this video NOW. CLICK HERE.

Everything you ever wanted to know about JAZZ!!!!

DOWNLOADABLE FILES
100 Historically Significant Jazz Recordings
Aebersold Jazz Handbook (incredible resource for all jazz musicians)
Jazz Improvisation Guide
Jazz Lessons with Jazz Giants

WEBSITES TO HELP YOU LEARN TO PLAY JAZZ
Play Jazz Now Guide
Guide to Jazz Theory
Jazz Advice
JazzEdNet username: tradjazz password: tradjazzistoday
Jazz 101
Swing Central Jazz
Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jazz Academy
NPR Jazz site
Jazz In America Resources
JazClass Online Courses
Berklee School of Music Courses

APPS TO HELP YOU LEARN TO PLAY JAZZ
iReal Pro
​

VIDEO IMPROVISATION LESSONS
Dennis DeBlasio Videos
Jazz Improvisation Lessons
Matt Otto Lessons

Requirements for incoming 9th graders:
Saxophone – Trumpet – Trombone
Open enrollment for all 9th grade students that play the above wind instruments! 

All Rhythm Section players must upload an audition recording here by May 15th: https://forms.gle/Gqjgz37SdDj11mR87
 The requirements are listed below.  All orange text are files are links to use. Prepare and record yourself playing the Blues scale listed and the piece "Tenor Madness". Go HERE to listen to the tune "Tenor Madness" 

Piano
Guitar
Bass
Drums
  1. Play 16 measures each of the following styles at appropriate tempos:
  • Swing – medium tempo (quarter = 120bpm)
  • Swing – fast tempo (quarter = 172bpm)
  • Latin – medium tempo (quarter = 128bpm)
  • Funk – medium tempo (quarter = 96bpm)
  • Play along with the tune “Hava a Nice Day” (be sure to record yourself with the track “without drums”). Listen to the recording “with drums” to get ideas on what to play.

2023-2024 Jazz Band Audition Materials for current Grissom High School Students

All students must submit their auditions to the google form link below in one video file with ALL audition material below by May 15th. 
Download sheet music and recordings below by clicking the Audition Material Link to record yourself playing along.
​Auditions must be submitted BY MAY 15th..
Audition Requirements for Jazz Band
Placement auditions for the Grissom High School Jazz Bands are now LIVE!  Auditions will be held virtually, with video submissions due by May 15th.  Please note that the information below only applies for the A Jazz Band audition. Students who do not successfully audition into A Jazz will automatically be placed in B Jazz. Students can also opt-in directly for B Jazz; no audition required except for rhythm section players who must audition. Please read the information below carefully and let Mr. Vernon know if you have any questions john.vernon@hsv-k12.org :

AUDITION MATERIALS:
Etudes: Alto/Bari Sax - Tenor Sax - Trumpet - Trombone - Guitar - Piano - Bass - Drums

Backing Tracks: Melody track for reference - All Horns - Piano/Guitar - Bass - Drums Swing - Drums Latin - Drums Funk

​
AUDITION SUBMISSION FORM - 
CLICK HERE

PREPARED ETUDES
Please note that memorization of these excerpts is NOT REQUIRED. Students are  welcome to read off of their sheet during the audition video and can annotate the sheet music to their advantage. Students must  pay close attention to note/rhythm accuracy, tempo markings, articulations, dynamics, and other musical markings/inferences.

Everyone except drums will submit 2 recordings. One with the scales and one with the etude.
Drums will submit 3 recordings of the etude in the three different styles.

Scales:  Students will be perform the Bb, Eb, and F blues scale using the pattern below in one octave. Students who perform in two octaves will not be penalized or given extra credit. Students must record all three. Click here for Blues Scales in all 12 keys.

Etude: Chorus one and four play the written melody, chorus two, play the ensemble hits, and chorus three improvise. The criteria that you should work on mastering are: notes, rhythms, articulations, tone, phrasing, dynamics, tempo and creativity. Each student will play along with a recording that is included above. Record with the All Horns track above..

Guitar/Piano: Chorus one and four play the written melody. Chorus two, comp the chords. Chorus three, improvise .

Bass: Chorus one and four play the written melody. Chorus two walk a bass line over the chord progression. Chorus three, improvise. 

Drum set: Chorus one and four, play time. Chorus two set up and play the ensemble hits. Third chorus improvise. Perform the entire etude 3 times, first swing, then latin groove, then a funk groove. 

1001 Haysland Road, Huntsville, AL 35802   256-428-8000  ext. 2111
Director of Bands - Mr. Vernon - john.vernon@hsv-k12.org
Associate Director of Bands - Mr. Harris - brent.harris@hsv-k12.org

Copyright © 2021-2022 Grissom Band Parents Assoc.
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  • Band Calendar
  • Fundraisers
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  • Future Band Members
  • Directors
  • Jazz Information
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  • Audition Results