NDSU Jazz Ensemble Auditions

NDSU Jazz Ensembles
MUSC 311, Section 1, Jazz Ensemble – 12:30-1:45 p.m.
MUSC 311, Section 2, Jazz Lab Band – 2:00-3:15 p.m.

Come play with the NDSU Jazz Ensembles for the Fall 2026 semester! All auditions will take place in Room 146 of Challey Hall. Dates and times will vary by instrumental group.

• Rhythm Section Auditions (Full Band Attendance)

  • Tuesday, August 25
    • These auditions will take place at the designated class time (12:30 p.m. for Jazz Ensemble and 2 p.m. for Jazz Lab Band). Although auditions will be for the rhythm section on this date, all players – including horns – will need to attend. You will perform the following charts, which can be found in the Google drive linked below:
      
      
      • T.O.P. Adjacent – Beginning to Measure 55
      • Captain Marvel – Beginning to Measure 65
      • Splanky – Beginning to Measure 35, then Measure 100 to the end
        

• Individual Horn Auditions

  • Thursday, August 27
  • Audition Process:
    • Sign up for an audition time on your applied professor's door:
      • Saxophones: Dr. Matthew Patnode – Challey Hall 246
      • Trombones: Dr. Will Sutton – Challey Hall 142
      • Trumpets: Dr. Jeremy Brekke – Challey Hall 140
    • Play one chorus of "You're the Last one" with the backing.
    • Sight read on Tuesday in your section and on Thursday during the individual audition.
    • Improvise over a Bb Blues of your choice.
  • Excerpts and backing tracks can be found in the Google drive below.

Audition Results

Audition results will be posted the afternoon of Friday, August 28. The first rehearsals will begin on September 1.

If you have questions please contact Matthew.Patnode@ndsu.edu or Jeremy.Brekke@ndsu.edu. Thank you for your interest in NDSU Jazz! Good luck!