The Philly POPS/UArts High School All-Star Jazz Band
The University of the Arts offers students of high school age, grades 9-12, the opportunity to audition for and play in a 20 piece big band comprising select outstanding musicians from across the Mid Atlantic Region including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Maryland. The band is directed by Matt Gallagher and rehearsed on the UArts campus in Center City Philadelphia. For more information, contact band director Matt Gallagher.
Audition Submission Deadline: Sunday February 16, 2020 at 11:59PM
Notification of Acceptance: No later than Monday March 2, 2020
Please review the list of rehearsal dates and performances below. Due to the limited schedule, all members selected for the band must be able to attend all rehearsals and performances. All rehearsals are in Caplan Recital Hall at the University of the Arts Terra Hall 211 S. Broad St 17th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102
Rehearsals:
Sunday 3/15/20 – 10:30AM-1PM, 2PM-4:30PM
Sunday 3/29/20 – 10:30AM-1PM, 2PM-4:30PM
Sunday 4/26/20 – 10:30AM-1PM, 2PM-4:30PM
Sunday 5/3/20 – 10:30AM-1PM
Sunday 5/17/20 – 10:30AM-1PM, 2PM-4:30PM
Sunday 6/7/20 – 10:30AM-1PM, 2PM-4:30PM
Saturday 6/20/20 – 10:30AM-1PM, 2PM-4:30PM
Performances:
Sunday 5/3/20 – 1:30PM Kimmel Center Lobby prior to Philly Pops Orchestra Performance
Tuesday 6/23/20 – 8PM Chris’s Jazz Café with Philly Pops Big Band Guests Artists
TBA Concert with UARTS “Z” Big Band Buddy Rich Tribute Concert featuring Steve Fidyk
Applicant Instructions
- Complete the Audition Requirements for your instrument (listed below)
- Submit an Application
2020 Audition Requirements:
ALL APPLICANTS: Announce your name, grade, phone number, school, city and state at the beginning of the video recording.
ALL INSTRUMENTS (except Drums):
- Prepared Selection: Medium tempo with standard or alternate chord changes. Accompaniment may be live or recorded. (3-4 choruses of improvisation required). *Bass players also walk for two choruses. Pick one of the following songs:
- Billie’s Bounce - Charlie Parker
- Straight, No Chaser - Thelonius Monk
- Sandu - Clifford Brown
- Self Selections: Play two standards of contrasting styles, swing, Latin, ballad, or other styles. As an option, you are encouraged to include at least three choruses of improvisation but it is NOT required. These selections are your choice. Composers to consider are Cole Porter, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, etc.
- Transcription: Perform a transcription of a jazz solo that demonstrates your technical proficiency and style. Please choose a solo by someone on your specific instrument and send a copy of the transcription with your submission. (You don’t have to transcribe it yourself. You can use a published transcription or any appropriate transcription).
Lead Trumpet, Lead Trombone, Bass Trombone, Baritone Saxophone: In addition to the above requirements, play an ensemble excerpt that demonstrates your proficiency (style, technique, range – high for trumpet and trombone; low for bass trombone and bari).
Piano, Guitar, Bass (upright and electric): In addition to the above requirements…
- Comping (Guitar and Piano): Demonstrate one chorus of comping on at least two of your selections.
- Funk/R&B (All): Play 1 to 2 minutes of time in that style on a traditional Funk or R&B tune. Composers/artists to consider are Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power, Earth, Wind & Fire, Average White Band, Brecker Brothers, Weather Report, etc. *Bassists use electric bass if you can.
Drum Set:
- Play the following Billie’s Bounce blues choruses: 4 choruses of time, 2 choruses of trading 4’s, 2 choruses of solo, repeat 2 choruses of time. Accompaniment may be live (strongly preferred) or recorded. Medium tempo.
- Demonstrate time in: Latin, ballad and brushes. Play on song forms 1-2 minutes each style. *Optional: Include 1 chorus improvisation for each style.
- If possible, include a 2-5 minute video segment playing time with a big band (not soloing).