The Stillwater Jazz program consists of the AM Jazz Band, the Stillwater Jazz Lab and the Stillwater Jazz Ensemble. Membership for these ensembles is determined through audition.
Auditions for the 2018-19 Stillwater Jazz Bands will be held the week of September 10. They include an Individual audition with a director and Call back auditions on Thursday, September 13.
Individual playing auditions will happen Monday (9/17) , Tuesday (9/18) and Wednesday (9/19) during the school day and after school. Email Mr. Lindsay directly for a time. lindsayd@stillwaterschools.org
For individual auditions, you will be asked to play the following excerpts:
Out of Nowhere – Beginning to bar 47 (the coda cut)
Hey Pocky Way – 81-105
Recordings have been provided below to give you a model.
CallBack Auditions will be posted on Wednesday at 5:00 PM on this page. Callbacks will happen Thursday, September 13 from 2:15 – 4:00 PM. They will determine lead players and mentors.
Call Back Auditions will be in a round robin format, with all members auditioning together in a rehearsal setting. You will be responsible for all the music below.
You can access both pieces by clicking on the packets below. Rhythm Section packets also include auxiliary percussion and Vibraphone.
For Trumpets and Trombones: Select the part (high or low) that best fits your playing range. If you wish to play lead trumpet, you will need to play the trumpet 1 parts. There is an optional Tuba Part for Hey Pocky Way.
For Saxophones: You should audition on the part (alto,tenor or bari) that you wish to play. If you play another instrument (flute, clarinet, bassoon, etc…) there will be opportunities to play them in the Jazz Ensemble next year. Please speak to a director about this.
For Rhythm Section: There are specific parts for drum set and vibes/Auxiliary percussion. If you wish to audition for more than one chair, PLEASE DO!
Improvisation: Students wish to improvise at the audition are encouraged to do so, however, you will not be required to do so if you do not wish to. Chord changes are available above.
The two tunes with music are “Out of Nowhere” by Johnny Green and “Hey Pocky Way” by The Meters. We will also learn a blues head chart by ear during the auditions. I have given you three recordings of each tune so you can hear the chart you have and hear two other recordings. Out of Nowhere is a great old standard. You will love both Chet Baker’s and Ella’s recordings. Hey Pocky Way is a great New Orleans second line Funk tune by The Meters that you will love. Also, check out the Grateful Dead’s cover.
If you have any questions, please talk to one of the directors.
Out of Nowhere – Chart recording
Out of Nowhere – Ella Fitzgerald
Stillwater Area High School Bands 