AUDITIONS

Saturday, January 24, 2026 @ Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville
Sunday, January 25, 2026 @ Thaden School, Bentonville
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Sign Up Deadline: January 22nd

AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS

Please be sure to read the instructions fully and come prepared for your audition. If you haven't filled out the audition form, that is the first step to auditioning. We will reach out to you and schedule your audition based on the information provided in your audition form. You can access the form using the button below. 

We are currently seeking students who play:

  • Trumpet

  • Saxophone (alto, tenor, bari)

  • Trombone

  • Guitar

  • Piano

  • Bass

  • Drums

If you do not play one of these instruments, but would still like to audition, please reach out to Graham Stewart (graham@digjazz.com).

Audition Materials for all Instruments except drums:

SCALES

  • Play one major scale of your choice. Scales must be at least 2 octaves and played at a minimum of 85bpm in 8th notes.

  • Play one blues scale of your choice. Scales must be at least 2 octaves and played at a minimum of 85bpm in 8th notes.

PREPARED PIECES

Play and improvise on two jazz standards.

  • You can play the recommended pieces for the All-Region and/or All-State Jazz auditions (if applicable), OR perform "Just Friends" preferably in key of F, tempo 180, and "Freddie Freeloader" key of Bflat, tempo 130. You must play the head (melody) followed by at least ONE solo improvisational chorus. You can find recordings of these tunes on Spotify or Youtube.

  • Here are links to play-along tracks found on YouTube. 
    Freddie Freeloader:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ-tLUr2rp8
    Just Friends:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBX0-lvQALY

  • If you are a rhythm section player (guitar, piano, bass) you must play the head, and play at least ONE solo chorus and play at least ONE comping/walking bassline chorus.

SIGHT-READING

Be prepared to sight-read a typical big band chart. You will be given the part from the arrangement that matches your instrument.

AUDITION MATERIAL

You may come with additional material prepared that demonstrates experience in jazz performance. These may be live or recorded. However, please know that there may not be time for you to present additional material live. Recorded material must be emailed to Graham Stewart, Executive Director, at graham@digjazz.com. Please include your name and instrument in the email.

Audition Materials for drums:

DEMONSTRATION OF STYLE

Medium swing (120 bpm) — play 16 bars of time

Fast swing (200 bpm) — play 16 bars of time followed by 8 bars of solo

Bossa Nova (108 bpm) — play 16 bars of time

Funk/Fusion Groove — play 16 bars of your favorite beat

SIGHT-READING


Be prepared to sight-read a typical big band chart.

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

You may come with additional material prepared that demonstrates experience in jazz performance. These may be live or recorded. However, please know that there may not be time for you to present additional material live. Recorded material must be emailed to Graham Stewart, Executive Director, at graham@digjazz.com. Please include your name and instrument in the email.