The Jazz Ensemble specializes in the performance of the various streams of jazz and other music appropriate to stage bands, jazz ensembles, and vocal jazz groups. Performances include at least two concerts on campus each semester, plus other performances off campus, such as the St. Mary's Fiesta Jazz Festival.
Jazz Combos
Students (of any instrument!) who wish to develop their jazz improvisation skills may register for Jazz Combos. Musicians are matched and divided into a number of small combos, each including a rhythm section. Rehearsal times (at least once a week) are determined by members of each combo, and instruction on improvisation is provided. Concerts include one evening performance per semester as well as the possibility of other informal engagements on or off campus.
Auditions
Auditions for Jazz Ensembles and Combos - Spring 2024
Auditions for jazz ensembles and combos at the University of Texas at San Antonio for the Spring 2024 semester will be held on campus. All university jazz ensembles and combos are open to any student regardless of major. The ensembles and combos encompass all levels of ability from quite experienced to novice performers.
Auditions are low-pressure and consist of the following activities:
Saxophones/Trumpets/Trombones/Vocals:
Auditions will be held on Thursday, January 18th starting at 3:00pm in AR 2.03.14. Please be ready before 3:00pm.
- A jazz tune: It can be either a 12 Bar Blues or a 32 Bar (AABA) jazz standard of your choosing (you may sing/play with a play-along CD or iReal Pro or ask Prof. Villanueva to accompany you). Please pick a tune that you are familiar with that demonstrates your jazz language and feel. Prepare the melody. Improvisation highly encouraged.
- Sight Reading: We will have a jazz excerpt for you to read.
Rhythm Section (Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums):
Auditions will be held on Friday, January 19th starting at 12:00pm in AR 2.03.18. Please be ready before 12:00pm.
- Rhythm section players will audition in sections and play Gentle Rain and You Stepped Out Of A Dream to demonstrate melody, feel, improvisational skills, comping (piano and guitar), walking/creating bass lines (bass), timekeeping abilities/texture/dynamics (drums) and interaction.
- SHEET MUSIC:
If the jazz faculty feels your improvisational abilities are not advanced enough to participate in jazz ensemble or combo, we may request that you take Jazz Skills (MUS 2183) before joining a group in a subsequent semester.
If you need additional assistance/questions about the auditions or cannot make it to audition on the day specified for your instrument, please email Prof. Christopher Villanueva at christopher.villanueva@utsa.edu.
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