Jazz Combos
Jazz combo is the major performing ensemble for students majoring in jazz performance. Each semester, the jazz program averages six undergraduate combos and one graduate combo. Although combos consist primarily of jazz performance majors, anyone accepted through audition may participate.
Auditions are held the first Tuesday of fall and spring semesters at 3:30 p.m. in Dunham Hall, room 1114. Students are assembled into ad-hoc groups to perform for jazz faculty and the other auditioners. At the minimum, students should be prepared to perform and improvise over a blues and a standard (Autumn Leaves, Take the A Train, Blue Bossa, etc.). Audition results are posted the same day on the bulletin board next to room 1113.
Undergraduate combos meet at one of the following times:
A. Monday-Wednesday 3-4:50 p.m.
B. Tuesday-Thursday 3:30-5:20 p.m.
Although you will be placed into either time slot A or B, it is strongly advised that you make yourself available for both time slots prior to auditioning. Students should wait to add classes during combo times until they find out their combo assignment. This ensures that you are placed in a group that works best for your skill level, and helps to round out the groups with even instrumentation. Even if you pass the audition, we cannot guarantee placement in a group if you are not initially available during both combo time slots.
