Auditions

Bainbridge High School has a "no-cuts" jazz program, and all jazz students are enrolled in the Jazz Band class, which is split into different subgroups after fall placements each year.  New students will also be placed into an appropriate ensemble once they arive on campus.

Placements take place during the first two weeks of the year - during zero period.  Come check it out if you are interested.  It's a friendly process.  We work through some audition music as a group for a few days, and then meet as sections to work through placements after people are generally comfortable with the materials.

After auditions are over, rosters are announced, and rehearsals begin.

Typical placement music includes two jazz standards (one easier, and one more advanced), a few scales, and optional improvizing.

Criteria include the standard musical elements of:

1. Tone (natural and pleasant)

2. Time (steady and strong)

3. Accuracy (play the ink, and play the changes)

4. Nuance (play with life and groove)