Eligibility

Instrumental students are only selected to an all-county jazz ensemble by attaining a score at a live audition at the designated date and site for that festival.  Students in grades 7-12 are eligible to perform a jazz solo audition. 

Students may audition on more than one instrument but must make their preference known at the audition.  Students may audition on the following instruments:  Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Percussion - Drum Set, Percussion - Mallets, String Bass, Electric Bass, Guitar, and Piano.

Selection

Based on the judge’s scores, rankings and comments, the jazz selection committee will choose two high school level and one junior high level bands.  Jazz Committee decisions are final.  The Jazz 1 & 2 Ensembles will be selected from students in grades 10-12 and the Jazz 3 Ensemble will selected from students in grades 7-9. 

If a student who is selected for an all-county Jazz Ensemble does not participate in the performance, he/she may not audition the following year.  An exception may be made by the chairman for extenuating circumstances.

Alternates

Alternates for the Jazz 1 Band are chosen from the Jazz 2 Band.  Alternates for the Jazz 2 Band are chosen from the HS Jazz  alternate list.  Alternates for the Jazz 3  Band are chosen from the JH Jazz alternate list.

Audition Date

Jazz auditions take place at the Elementary Solo Festival. 

Audition Format

Solos must be chosen from the NYSSMA Manual Edition 29 (XXIX) (Effective July 2009).  Students in grades 7-9 are limited to a level 5 NYSSMA jazz solo.

Percussion instruments auditions are 15 minutes.  All other instruments are 10 minutes – following NYSSMA guidelines.

Jazz Sight Reading is required.  See NYSSMA Jazz Sight Reading Criteria in the NYSSMA Manual.

 
Students are required to improvise blues in the keys of concert Bb and F using the ECMEA Jazz Tracks available to teachers in the File Exchange section of the ECMEA web page. It is recommended, but not required, that students play a "head" before improvising.  Disk and CD player will be provided.
 
A second published edition of the solo is required by ECMEA for a student to be considered for selection into an all-county ensemble.  If a student performs without a second published edition of the solo, he/she will only receive a rating, and will not be eligible for selection into an all-county ensemble.  Students with copied music (not a published edition) will not be allowed to perform.

Jazz Instructions - Vocal

 Eligibility

Vocal students are only selected to an all-county jazz ensemble by attaining a score at a live audition at the designated date and site for that festival. Students in grades 10-12 are eligible to perform a jazz vocal solo audition.

Selection

Based on the judge’s scores, rankings and comments, the jazz selection committee will choose up to 24 students to perform in a Jazz Choir.

Alternates

Alternates will be selected for each voice part.

Audition Date

Jazz auditions take place at the Elementary Solo Festival.

Audition Format

Solos must be chosen from the NYSSMA Manual Edition 29 (XXIX) (Effective July 2009).  Students must provide their own CD for their solo in the published key.

Jazz sight reading is required.  See NYSSMA Jazz Sight Reading Criteria in the NYSSMA Manual.

Students are required to improvise.    The improvisation can be scat singing or embellishment of the words/rhythms/pitches or a combination of both.   Students will be required to improvise the blues as described in the NYSSMA  Manual.

A second published edition of the solo is required by ECMEA for a student to be considered for selection into an all-county ensemble.  If a student performs without a second published edition of the solo, he/she will only receive a rating, and will not be eligible for selection into an all-county ensemble.  Students with copied music (not a published edition) will not be allowed to perform.