{"id":3876,"date":"2016-08-30T00:09:07","date_gmt":"2016-08-30T04:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/?page_id=3876"},"modified":"2026-08-04T15:16:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T19:16:36","slug":"ensembles","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/jazz\/ensembles\/","title":{"rendered":"Jazz Ensembles"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/jazz\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/MU-Jazz-Logo.png\" alt=\"MU-Jazz-Logo\" width=\"726\" height=\"216\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Fall 2026 Jazz Ensemble Audition Requirements<\/h2>\n<p><b>Monday, August 17: 12:30 p.m. &#8211; 5:00 p.m. \u2014 JJ 210<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Please sign up for an audition time online at: <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/5KwvU44BjRhskPt5A\">https:\/\/forms.gle\/5KwvU44BjRhskPt5A<\/a> <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>(please choose the earliest available time)<\/li>\n<li>Required excerpts can be found here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/scl\/fo\/p541dx0vormgybxkw77rf\/ACx3zGxhiPY0MABSlPbKK2c?rlkey=6kk1tni3f3o1z44wumwf2vhaz&amp;dl=0\">https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/scl\/fo\/p541dx0vormgybxkw77rf\/ACx3zGxhiPY0MABSlPbKK2c?rlkey=6kk1tni3f3o1z44wumwf2vhaz&amp;dl=0<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li><b>Required Excerpts <\/b>\u201cBack Bone\u201d &#8211; Thad Jones: Recording: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/MHMQinrNmhs?si=zmaedjoQ730jryo-\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/MHMQinrNmhs?si=zmaedjoQ730jryo-<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Excerpts start here: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/MHMQinrNmhs?si=zmaedjoQ730jryo-&amp;t=555\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/MHMQinrNmhs?si=zmaedjoQ730jryo-&amp;t=555<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li>Tempo\/Feel: Medium Up Swing, Quarter Note = 190<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>Pay special attention to all of the articulations, inflections, phrasing, dynamics, feel, and nuance. Not all of these are marked\u2026LISTEN!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li><b>Reeds <\/b>(Please indicate at the time of your audition which woodwind doubles you are able to play). <i>You may play along with the original recording.<\/i><i><\/i>\n<ul>\n<li>Alto:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Letter \u201cH\u201d to \u201cJ\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Tenor: Letter \u201cH\u201d to \u201cJ\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Bari: Letter \u201cH\u201d to \u201cJ\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li><b>Brass<\/b> <i>You may play along with the original recording.<\/i><i><\/i>\n<ul>\n<li>Lead Trumpet: Fourth bar after letter \u201cI\u201d to \u201cL\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Section Trumpet: Fourth bar after letter \u201cI\u201d to \u201cL\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Trombone: Fourth bar after letter \u201cI\u201d to \u201cL\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Bass Trombone: Fourth bar after letter \u201cI\u201d to \u201cL\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li><b>Rhythm Section <\/b><i>You may play along with the original recording.<\/i><i><\/i>\n<ul>\n<li>Guitar: Letter \u201cJ\u201d to letter \u201cM\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Piano: Letter \u201cJ\u201d to letter \u201cM\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Bass: Letter \u201cJ\u201d to letter \u201cM\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drums: Letter \u201cJ\u201d to the end (play solo at end as written)\n<ul>\n<li>All rhythm section players may be asked to demonstrate various styles and feels (i.e. swing, Bossa Nova, Samba, funk, brush playing, Basie-style, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Vocalists<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li>Prepare two tunes in contrasting styles from the \u201cGreat American Songbook\u201d (Cole Porter, Jule Styne, Harold Arlen, Sammy Cahn, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, etc.) in contrasting styles. Consider songs like \u201cAll the Things You Are,\u201d \u201cWhat is this Thing Called Love,\u201d \u201cMisty,\u201d \u201cSeptember in the Rain,\u201d \u201cGirl From Ipanema,\u201d \u201cHave You Met Miss Jones,\u201d \u201cNight and Day,\u201d \u201cAll of Me,\u201d All of You,\u201d etc. You may use backing tracks or sing a cappella.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Improvise (\u201cscat singing\u201d) over the chord changes to a blues in concert \u201cBb\u201d utilizing the following backing track: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/M46i3p5xBy8?si=QfaI8bVjj10TWvCV\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/M46i3p5xBy8?si=QfaI8bVjj10TWvCV<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><b>Improvisation for Instrumentalists: <\/b>(Optional, but if you would like to be considered for a solo position in the ensemble, you must demonstrate your skills as an improviser during your audition).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li>Improvise over the chord changes to a blues in concert \u201cC\u201d utilizing the following backing track: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/zliRpt00cuA?si=ifALRZ4d407suWLA\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/zliRpt00cuA?si=ifALRZ4d407suWLA<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Drummers, be prepared to \u201ctrade 4\u2019s\u201d with yourself (in lieu of improvising over a tune)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><b>Sight reading of a typical big band chart<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>**If you have any questions about the audition requirements or trouble accessing the materials, please contact Prof. Jeff Wolfe at <\/strong><a href=\"mailto:wolfe9@marshall.edu\">wolfe9@marshall.edu<\/a><strong>**<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Jazz Ensemble I<\/h2>\n<p>The MU Jazz Ensemble I is the premier large jazz ensemble in the Jazz Studies Program. Under the direction of <a title=\"Jeff Wolfe\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/jeff-wolfe\/\">Prof. Jeff Wolfe<\/a>, this group maintains an extremely active performing schedule throughout the year, including local, regional, and international performances, highlighted by an appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The band explores a variety of large jazz ensemble literature including canonic compositions from such luminaries as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Mary Lou Williams, and Thad Jones, to modern works for the large jazz ensemble by Maria Schneider, Darcy James Argue, Chuck Owen, Javier Nero, Steven Feifke, and Earl MacDonald. \u00a0Admittance into Jazz Ensemble I is by audition only.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Transit -  Darcy James Argue, Marshall University Jazz Ensemble I, featuring David Smith, trumpet.\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Wz4Ic4OiWV8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Tattooed Bride (Excerpt) - Marshall University Jazz Ensemble I\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5fIOVHaUvJQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Rejoice - Thad Jones  Marshall University Jazz Ensemble I\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/I1xdsRuN-dE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Jazz Ensemble II<\/h2>\n<p>The MU Jazz Ensemble II is the second large jazz ensemble in the Jazz Studies Program and is directed by Dr. Andrew Stonerock. Focusing primarily on important, influential, and historic jazz literature, Jazz Ensemble II performs works from across the spectrum of big band jazz music and surveys many different styles and time periods. Jazz Ensemble II performs several on- campus concerts per year. This group is open to anyone interested in studying jazz literature and pedagogy and does not require an audition.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/IMG_4959-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7922 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/IMG_4959-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/IMG_4959-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/IMG_4959-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Jazz Combos<\/h2>\n<p>There are multiple jazz combo in the Jazz Studies program. Coached by various jazz studies faculty members, the combos are primarily student led and emphasize improvisation and the performance of small group jazz literature, as well as original compositions and arrangements. Each combo performs several times per year in the Jomie Jazz Forum, as well as at numerous university functions, community events, regional jazz festivals, and national conferences.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/IMG_3967-scaled-e1785870650362.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7923 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/IMG_3967-scaled-e1785870650362-1024x567.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/IMG_3967-scaled-e1785870650362-1024x567.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/IMG_3967-scaled-e1785870650362-300x166.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/IMG_3967-scaled-e1785870650362-768x425.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/IMG_3967-scaled-e1785870650362-1536x850.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/files\/IMG_3967-scaled-e1785870650362-2048x1134.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fall 2026 Jazz Ensemble Audition Requirements Monday, August 17: 12:30 p.m. &#8211; 5:00 p.m. \u2014 JJ 210 Please sign up for an audition time online at: https:\/\/forms.gle\/5KwvU44BjRhskPt5A \u00a0 (please choose the earliest available time) Required excerpts can be found here: https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/scl\/fo\/p541dx0vormgybxkw77rf\/ACx3zGxhiPY0MABSlPbKK2c?rlkey=6kk1tni3f3o1z44wumwf2vhaz&amp;dl=0\u00a0 Required Excerpts \u201cBack Bone\u201d &#8211; Thad Jones: Recording: https:\/\/youtu.be\/MHMQinrNmhs?si=zmaedjoQ730jryo-\u00a0 Excerpts start here: https:\/\/youtu.be\/MHMQinrNmhs?si=zmaedjoQ730jryo-&amp;t=555\u00a0 Tempo\/Feel:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":480,"featured_media":0,"parent":264,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3876","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/480"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3876"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7924,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3876\/revisions\/7924"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}