High School Honor Jazz Band Weekend — for Accepted Students

Accepted Student Registration

CONGRATULATIONS! to all musicians who have been selected to participate in the Ohio State High School Honor Jazz Band Weekend, on Sept. 27–29, 2024. We hope that each one of you can join us. 

Please read carefully to learn what to expect and the next steps toward participation.

Students who have received notification of acceptance to participate, and plan to attend, must confirm their intention to participate by following the steps below to submit an online acceptance form, payment and required participation forms. Students will also be required to submit a brief (1–2 minute) recorded video for seating of our honor bands.

What to Expect

  • An opening concert by The Ohio State University Jazz Ensemble
  • Master classes by School of Music faculty
  • Comprehensive and educational rehearsals led by Ohio State Jazz faculty
  • Engagement with challenging and rewarding repertoire
  • Presenting a closing concert in Weigel Auditorium, free and open to the public 

Fee

$100 — includes:

  • Saturday lunch and dinner
  • Sunday lunch
  • Honor Band Instrument Case Decal
  • Recording of Honor Band concert
  • All instruction

Housing

Families are responsible for their own housing and may book rooms at the Staybridge Suites or at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, both located on Olentangy River Rd.

  • Use the links above to make your reservation. They represent a discounted rate for this event. 
  • Bus transportation will be provided to students, to and from this location for all scheduled activities.

Important! — If you choose to use a third party to book your room, please confirm the refund policy. If this event must be canceled for any reason, be sure that you can receive a refund.


Forms and Payment — Due by Monday, Sept. 16


STEP 1 — Acceptance Form

Complete the participation form below.

Register as an Accepted student


STEP 2 — Payment

Payment may be made by credit card or check/money order.

  • By credit card (preferred) — make payment at the School of Music eStore (you will receive the payment site link in your registration confirmation email). After submitting payment, you will receive an invoice showing "Paid" at the top.
  • By check or money order — made payable to "The Ohio State University.” Indicate "HS Honor Band" on the memo line of the check. Mail payment to the School of Music at the address below. Do not send cash.

High School Honor Jazz Band
The Ohio State University School of Music
110 Weigel Hall
1866 College Rd.
Columbus, OH 43210

You will receive confirmation via email within 7–10 business days.

Submit payment by credit card


STEP 3 — Participation Forms

Shortly after registering, parents/guardians and participants will receive permission forms from the High School Honor Jazz Band Administrator via DocuSign. These forms must be signed and submitted electronically by Monday, Sept. 16 in order to participate.


Band Placement Video — Due by Monday, Sept. 23

Students who have been accepted to participate in the honor band weekend must prepare a video for placement into one of the bands.
 

Video Requirements (all instruments)

Your video should be no longer than 2 minutes.

  • All instruments:
    • Bb concert major scale showcasing the range of your instrument
    • Perform the melody and an improvised solo to Charlie Parker’s "Billie’s Bounce" [pdf] with or without backing track or live accompaniment
  • Guitar and Piano should also record a chorus of comping.
  • Bass should also record a chorus walking a bass line.
  • Drums should include 12 measures of 4/4 swing, 12 measures of drums solo, 12 measures of bossa nova. All at 132 bpm. 

Instructions for how to make and submit your video


Final Instructions

Shortly before the event, participants will receive an email with further instructions about what to bring, arrival, parking, checking in, etc. 
 

Questions?

Email Mike Smith at smith.8675@osu.edu 


Tentative Honor Band Schedule

You will receive a final schedule at check-in. 


Friday

6:30 p.m. — Check-in at registration table

  • Be sure to eat dinner ahead of time.

7 p.m. – Welcome meeting
7:30 p.m. — Concert featuring The Ohio State University Jazz Ensemble.

  • Parents of commuters are invited to remain for the concert.


Saturday

7 a.m. — Breakfast is on your own at your hotel
8–8:15 a.m. — approximate bus pick-up at the hotels (please be ready)

  • Commuter students — arrive and check in by 8:30 a.m. to be prepared for morning rehearsal at 9 a.m. Be sure to arrive early enough to find parking and walk to our building, check in, warm up prior to rehearsal starting.

9 a.m. — Big band rehearsal
11 a.m. — Improvisation 1 and 2
12 Noon — Lunch
1 p.m. — Instrument master classes
2 p.m. — Big band rehearsal
4 p.m. — Jazz elective
5 p.m. — Dinner
6:30 p.m. — Big band rehearsal
8:30 p.m. — Jam session hosted by Jazz Club
10 or 10:30 p.m. — Students dismissed. Details will be reflected in the schedule provided at Friday check-in.

  • Buses will pick up students at the School of Music and return them to the hotels by approx. 10:50–11 p.m.
  • Commuters can be picked up by parents. We will provide instructions for pick-up at Friday's check-in.


Sunday

7 a.m. — Breakfast is on your own at your hotel
8–8:15 a.m. — approximate bus pick up at the hotels (please be ready)

  • Commuter students — arrive and check in by 8:30 a.m. to be prepared for morning rehearsal at 9 a.m. Be sure to arrive early enough to find parking and walk to our building, check in, warm up prior to rehearsal starting.

9:30 a.m. — Big band rehearsal
11:30 a.m. — School of Music presentation
12 Noon — Lunch
3 p.m. Finale Concert. Free and open to the public.
4 p.m. Students dismissed