The Ohio State University
Friday, Sept. 27 – Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024
The Ohio State University Honor Jazz Band Weekend welcomes students in grades 10–12 to campus.
Outstanding musicians, selected from high school jazz band director nominations, will be placed via video audition submission into one of two jazz bands to perform with other high-achieving students in a fun and challenging environment.
Both bands will perform on Sunday afternoon in the Timashev Family Music Building. The concert is free and open to the public.
Nomination Process
Jazz band directors: you may nominate up to ten (10) outstanding student musicians in grades 10–12 for consideration, via the link below. We will make every effort to include at least one student from each school, within the limitations we face in achieving balanced instrumentation.
Nomination Deadline: Monday, Sept. 2
When completing the nomination form, please double check your entry for accurate spelling of email addresses for ALL student nominees and parents. Typos result in failure to deliver messages to nominees and parents.
The nomination portal for jazz band directors will open Friday, August 16.
Students, parents and band directors will be notified of nominees' status on Friday, September 6.
Accepted students and parents will receive a registration form in their status notification. The online registration and payment must be completed by Monday, Sept. 16.
Students who wish to attend will be asked to submit a brief audition video, for the purpose of seating the honor bands. Videos must be received by us by Monday, Sept. 23.
What to Expect
Selected students will join other high school musicians for an exciting weekend of concerts and high-level music making. Rehearsals will culminate in a concert of challenging and rewarding repertoire conducted by the Ohio State jazz faculty.
All selected students who elect to participate will be asked to submit a video recording prior to attendance for the purpose of placement auditions. Students will be required to perform the following:
- Bb concert major scale showcasing their range on the instrument
- The melody for "Billie's Bounce" by Charlie Parker
- An improvised solo over the chord changes to "Billie's Bounce" with either pre-recorded or live accompaniment
"Billie's Bounce" Honor Jazz Band audition packet [pdf]
Students will be asked to submit their placement audition videos soon after notification of their invitation to the honor band weekend. Videos submission deadline: Monday, Sept. 23.
Cost is $100 and includes:
- Saturday lunch and dinner and Sunday lunch
- Shuttle bus to and from the hotel
- Honor Jazz Band instrument case decal
- Recording of Honor Jazz Band finale concert
- Instruction and master classes with Ohio State jazz faculty
Families will be required to manage their own accommodations. Participants will be directed to a recommended hotel in the area from which an Ohio State shuttle will provide transportation to the Timashev Family Music Building.
Families who select a different hotel will need to provide their own transportation for their student to report to and leave all events in a timely manner.
Honor Jazz Band Weekend Highlights
Daily
Honor Jazz Band rehearsals
Friday
Concert by three Ohio State big bands — Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Big Band and Jazz Workshop Big Band.
Saturday
- Master classes led by School of Music faculty
- Question and answer session led by School of Music recruitment team
- Jam session hosted by The Ohio State University Jazz Club
Sunday
Honor Jazz Band Finale Concerts
Questions?
Email Mike Smith, High School Honor Jazz Band Weekend event director, at smith.8675@osu.edu.