Jazz Band Audition Information

Thank you for your interest in auditioning to be part of the Niwot Jazz program! 

The students involved in the Niwot Jazz program become engaged players with creativity and fluency in the language of jazz. We play a lot, give many performances during the school year, learn, and have fun!

We offer TWO jazz band classes at Niwot HS — Jazz Band and Advanced Jazz Band. In order to earn a place in one of these classes, you must:

  1. Request one of the classes on your course request form. It does not matter which class you request, you will be placed into the correct ensemble based on your audition.

  2. Fill out this Google form indicating your intent to audition. 

  3. Prepare a COMPLETE AUDITION (see below ⬇︎) and email to Mr. Hendricks at hendricks_robert@svvsd.org on/before FRIDAY, January 23 2026).

Jazz Band Audition Requirements:

Woodwind and Brass Instruments

  1. 6 - 12 major scales of your choice, performed in legato 8th notes at a metronome marking of 132 bpm. 

  2. A chromatic scale up and down for the range of your instrument (or what you deem to be your playable range.) Again, the scale should be performed in legato 8th notes at a metronome marking of 132 bpm.  

  3. The prescribed excerpts from the Colorado All-State Jazz Band audition music “Set A”

    Saxophones, Flutes, Clarinets - “Medium Swing” - beginning through downbeat of 17th meausure (Low C) for Jazz Band. All “Medium Swing:” for Adv. Jazz Band.

    Trumpets - “Medium Swing” for Jazz Band and Adv. Jazz Band

    Trombones - “Moderate Swing” (pick-ups + first 7 FULL measures) for Jazz Band; all “Moderate Swing for Adv. Jazz Band

  4. Further consideration will be given to students who perform 1 but not more than 2 choruses of blues improvisation (Key of Bb or F) using the following recording:

    “12 Bar Blues Backing Tracks” (Includes Full Rhythm Section)

  5. Even further consideration will be given to students who perform the head and 1 but not more than 2 choruses of improvisation for the song “Doxy”

Rhythm Section Players (guitar, piano, bass)

  1. The prescribed excerpts from the Colorado All-State Jazz Band audition music “Set A”

    Guitar - Your CHOICE of “Moderate Swing” etudes for Jazz band, BOTH “Moderate Swing” etudes for Adv. Jazz Band

    Piano - Both “Relaxed Samba” and “Moderate Swing” etudes for both Jazz band and Adv. Jazz Band

    Bass - both “Moderate Swing” and “Bossa Nova” etudes

  2. Comp 2 choruses of blues and 2 chorus of soloing using the provided Bb or F Blues Backing Track recordings:

  3. Perform the head (see melody above) and solo for 1 but not more than 2 choruses for “Doxy”

Drum Set

  1. The prescribed excerpts from the Colorado All-State Jazz Band audition music “Set A”

    Drum Set - both “Moderate Swing” and “Bossa Nova” etudes

  2. Perform 16 bars of time in the following styles:

    Medium swing (132 bpm)

    Bossa nova (116 bpm)

    Funk (108 bpm)

    Any of a variety of Latin styles (tempo is your decision)

QUESTIONS about the Jazz Band Audition Requirements?
Contact Mr. Hendricks

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“Jazz music is the power of now. There is no script. It’s conversation. The emotion is given to you by musicians as they make split-second decisions to fulfill what they feel the moment requires.”
— Wynton Marsalis