Jazz

Overview

Jazz Bands
Otto Lee, director

(Updated Dec. 28):

UC Davis Jazz Band and Combo Auditions

  • Auditions for the jazz bands and combos will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, 12:00–8:00 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 9, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Room 214, Music Building. Everyone should audition for jazz band regardless of past membership.

  • Rehearsals

    • Each Big Band will meet on both Tuesday and Thursday for a total of 2 rehearsal hours a week.
      • T and TH 12:10–2:00 p.m., Mus140, Sec 1 (2 units)
        **this is a new time compared to last school year

      • T and TH 4:10–6:00 p.m., Mus140, Sec 3 (2 units)

    • Combos will meet a faculty member for 1 hour a week. Times will be worked out by each combo and the faculty leader after auditions have concluded and results have been posted.

      • Combos will be limited to 6 players per group. 

      • Those planning to be in a combo should have a free hour in their schedule between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and / or Thursdays, or Fridays between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Having said availability in your schedule does not guarantee that you will be placed in a combo this quarter.

      • 1 hour (arranged with the instructor), Mus 146 Sec 6 (1 unit)

​​​​Auditions for the Big Bands will consist of

  • Instrumentalists

    • Performance of the melody to “Good Bait” at 130 bpm with backing track.

    • Sight Reading example (8–16 measures)

  • Singers

    • Performance of the melody to “Pennies from Heaven” at 130 bpm with backing track.

    • Sight Reading example (8–16 measures)

Auditions for the Combos (including singers) will consist of

  • Performance of the melody to “Emily” and 1 chorus of an improvised solo at 140 bpm with backing track.

  • You will need to turn in an availability sheet at the time of your audition (combo only)

Auditions for either ensemble

  • Those auditioning for both Big Band and Combo need to sign up for only one audition time.

  • Drummers (a kit will be available)

    • Drummers auditioning for either band will be asked to play a variety of styles.

    • All drummers are expected to know the melodies of the tunes for the ensembles they are auditioning for. 

Sign up for an audition time online.

For any questions, or any issues, contact Otto Lee (oglee@ucdavis.edu).

View all UCD Arts departments and programs

Melody Chiang

Art
History

Melody Chiang

Maria
Manetti
Shrem
Art Studio Program

Melody Chiang

Cinema and
Digital Media

Melody Chiang

Design

Melody Chiang

Music

Melody Chiang

Theatre
and Dance

Melody Chiang

Performance Studies

Melody Chiang

Museums

Melody Chiang

Map