Jazz placement auditions for both bands (you only need to make one time):

Wednesday, September 13th - 8:30pm or
Thursday, September 14th - 8:00pm

Auditions will be held in Mattin 101 (the SDS Room) in the Jones South building of the Mattin Center.

Requirements for auditions:

1) Sightreading is required; usually one or two excerpts from pieces to be played. Sightreading is done in section.

2) Optional (but encouraged): a prepared piece, preferably jazz-related, but it can be anything.

3) Optional (but encouraged): improvisation on a tune of your choice. If it's not a standard tune, please bring sheet music.

If you cannot make either audition time, need an instrument, or have any questions, email band@jhu.edu.

 

The Johns Hopkins University Jazz Program

The JHU Jazz Program is composed of a number of diverse groups. We feature two 18-piece jazz orchestras - the JHU Jazz Ensemble and the JHU Jazz Band.

The flagship group, the Jazz Ensemble, plays in a traditional and modern big band style, though ranging in repertoire, including pieces written and arranged by the director, Matt Belzer. The Jazz Ensemble rehearses Thursday nights from 8-10pm in the SDS Room of the Mattin Center. Matt also composes for the Jazz Band, which rehearses on Wednesday night, 8:30-10:30pm, also in the SDS Room. Both groups give two formal concerts a year, one per semester.

In addition to the two feature groups, the program contains many small groups. These quartets, quintets, etc, allow for students to create groups ranging from the eclectic to the most traditional. For example, in the 2002-2003 year alone, the Andy Joiner Quartet, the JHU Jazz Combo, the ‘Birth of the Cool’ Nonet, and others all joined with the larger ensembles for concerts and other engagements. Each year the Jazz Organization ensembles play numerous engagements on the Homewood campus, area swing dances, local schools, and jazz festivals. In particular, our groups play each year at the prestigious Villanova Jazz Festival.

Past Repertoire:

Fall 2004 concert program (pdf)

Spring 2004 concert program, page2

Spring 2003 Big Band Concert:
Sidewinder - Lee Morgan/arr. Mark Taylor
Misfit the Second - Matt Belzer
Slightly Out of Tune (Desafinado) - Antonio Carlos Jobim/arr. Frank Mantooth
Jay Who? - Matt Belzer

'Birth of the Cool' Nonet:
Joy Spring - Clifford Brown/arr. Coleman Flanagan
Rocker - Gerry Mulligan/arr. Gil Evans

JHU Jazz Combo:
Trumpet Madness - Sonny Rollins