Jazz Auditions — Autumn 2026
Audition Overview
Auditions are required for participation in any big band or combo and for applied instruction. Music majors and non-majors are welcome to join!
Auditions are held during the first week of autumn semester. Follow the 3-step Audition Process below.
The Ohio Show Band will hold auditions separately from Jazz.
Visit Commercial Music Ensembles for Show Band and Gospel Choir details.
Finally, be sure to read "After the Auditions" instructions at the end of this page.
Audition Process
All instrumentalists (brass, saxes/woodwinds, rhythm players) will be asked to:
- Prepare excerpts for their instrument(s).
- Sight read jazz charts, and
- Play short improvisations at their audition.
All steps are required.
STEP 1 — Complete the Jazz Audition Registration form, prior to your audition date.
Jazz Audition Registration
STEP 2 — As noted in your registration confirmation, schedule your audition in SignUpGenius, using the link for your instrument. Auditions are held during the first week of classes.
- Saxophones/Woodwinds — Video auditions only (see instructions below).
- Trumpet — Auditions via Zoom — Thu. Aug. 27 — 12 noon-4 p.m. (see below)
- Trombone — Tue. Aug. 25 — 12 noon–3 p.m.
- Bass — Tue. Aug. 25 and Thu. Aug. 27 — 3:45–5 p.m.
- Drum Set — Wed. Aug. 26 — 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Guitar — Mon. Aug. 24 — 5–8 p.m.
- Piano — Tue. Aug. 25 — 5–8 p.m.
- If you elect to record an audition video, upload to YouTube and send an unlisted link to Dave Powers (piano) or Kevin Turner (guitar)
STEP 3: Prepare the audition requirements and excerpts for your instrument. Excerpts below.
Questions? Email the faculty member noted in the instructions for your instrument.
Ensemble Class Times
Jazz Ensemble — Tue/Thu 1:50–3:55 p.m.
Jazz Lab Band — Tue/Thu 1:50–3:55 p.m.
Jazz Workshop Band — Mon/Wed 1:50–3:55 p.m.
Jazz Combos — Class times are listed on the Audition Registration form.
Preparations and Excerpts
Bass
Auditions
- Dates — Tuesday, Aug. 25 and Thursday, Aug. 27
- Times — 3:45–5 p.m.
- Location — Timashev N463
Bring your bass, cable and music. An amp and music stand will be provided.
All material must be memorized.
Performance
Students should be prepared to perform all five (5) songs below. The faculty will select two of the five songs. Play the melody to all compositions, walk and improvise.
"Billie's Bounce" — F
"In A Sentimental Mood" — F
"Ornithology" — G
"Satin Doll" — C
"Wave" — D
Sight Reading
- Students will be given one minute to look over the material, and at that time a tempo will be given.
Technical Studies
- Ray Brown ii–V–I patterns
Questions? Email Milton V. Ruffin
Drum Set
Auditions
- Date — Wednesday, Aug. 26
- Times — 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Location — Timashev N543
You need only bring your stick bag. A complete drum set will be provided.
Prepared track: "Epistrophy" (chart below)
Styles
Be prepared to play grooves in a variety of styles.
Sight Reading
Be prepared to sight read on both the snare drum and the drum set to a track.
Improvising
Be prepared to trade 4's in a swing style over a blues form.
Questions? Email Jim Rupp or Mike Smith
Guitar
Auditions
- Date — Monday, Aug. 24
- Times — 5–8 p.m.
- Location — Timashev N465
Bring your guitar, cable and music. An amp and music stand will be provided.
You will be asked the following:
- Comp (play chords) and improvise to a blues in the key of Bb or F
- Play chords (min 7, maj 7, sus4, min 11, min 9, maj 9, dom 7, dom 9, dom 7b9, dom 7#9, dom 7b5)
- Read chord chart from fakebook
- Sight read melody from fakebook
- Play the head, improvise over and comp (play chords/accompaniment) to "Billie's Bounce" and "Autumn Leaves."
Questions? Email Kevin Turner
Piano
Auditions
- Date — Tuesday, Aug. 25
- Times — 5–8 p.m.
- Location — Timashev N465
Prepare all three selections below, plus two or three choruses of blues improvisation in the key of your choice.
You will also be asked to sight read (TBA from instructor).
Questions? Email Dave Powers
Saxophones/Woodwinds
Video Auditions
Prepare and submit a video of yourself playing all of the following in a single, continuous take.
Upload your video to either YouTube or OneDrive, and email a link to brooks.1252@osu.edu and wallace.376@osu.edu
- Name — Major — Year
- Perform concert Bb and A major scales, full range — slurred
- Perform the melody of “Billie’s Bounce” [pdf] and improvise 2–3 choruses (with background track preferable)
- Perform the etude below for your chosen instrument, minimum 140 bpm (with background track preferable)
All videos must be submitted via email link dated no later than 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.
Questions? Email Robert Brooks or Shawn Wallace
Trombone
Auditions
- Date — Tuesday, Aug. 25
- Times — 12 noon–3 p.m.
- Location — TBA
Play both jazz trombone selections below to demonstrate your ability to interpret each piece with jazz styling.
"Algo Bueno" (quarter note = 190)
"In A Sentimental Mood"
Also prepare:
- Blues improvisation in the key of your choice
- F chromatic scale up to the highest note and down to the lowest note
- Any major scale of the professor's choice
You will also be asked to sight read (TBA from instructor).
Questions? Email Elaine Mylius
Trumpet
Auditions via Zoom
- Date — Thursday, Aug. 27
- Times — 12 noon–4 p.m.
- Location — via Zoom (link will be provided here)
Students should be prepared to play:
- Chromatic scale
- One major scale:
- Improvise a few choruses of a B-flat or F blues
Also prepare:
- Audition selection: "Bierenga's Bebop" — play from B to D
Questions? Email John Douglas
After the Auditions
Personnel lists will be posted on the bulletin board across from the Weigel Hall first floor elevator, located behind the main office.
All students participating in jazz ensembles and lessons must attend a Jazz Studies area meeting to be held Sunday evening, Sept. 6 from 6–7 p.m. in Timashev Recital Hall.
Rehearsals begin the first week of classes.
Questions? Email Mike Smith, coordinator of Jazz Studies. at smith.8675@osu.edu.
[pdf] — Some links on this page are to PDF files requiring Adobe Acrobat. If you need them in a more accessible format, contact us.