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Music Auditions
2025–2026 Instructions
Instructions for Grades 9–12 Jazz Band Placement Auditions 2026-27
Students interested in auditioning for Jazz Band must prepare the following selections for their audition video:
1. Play a Concert Ab Major scale (1 or 2 octaves) with arpeggio.
2. Play a Concert Bb Chromatic Scale (1 or 2 octaves).
3. Play the Jazz Etude specific to your instrument (linked HERE). Instructions are listed below.
4. Improvisation - Students should play the melody of “Now’s The Time” twice, and then improvise 2 choruses. It is not mandatory for students to submit an example of Improv, but it is strongly recommended. Instructions are listed below.
Instructions for Jazz Etude:
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Alto and Bari Saxophones - Play the first page of Etude #12 - Jazz Conception for Saxophone (by Lennie Niehaus)
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Tenor Saxophone - Play the first page of Etude #6 - Jazz Conception for Saxophone (by Lennie Niehaus).
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Trombone - Play the first page of “Joe’s Thing” from Jazz Conception for Trombone (by Jim Snidero)
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Trumpet - Play the first page of “Lunar” from Jazz Conception for Trumpet (by Jim Snidero).
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Piano - Play the Intro and the first 32 measures of “A Doll” from Jazz Conception for Piano (by Jim Snidero). Performing both hands is ideal, but if you can only do one, play the right hand melody. Then, using the lead sheet chords above the etude, play the same 32 measures in a chordal comping pattern that shows consistent time and is in an appropriate style to accompany the melody.
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Guitar - Play the first 36 measures of “A Doll” from Jazz Conception for Guitar (by Jim Snidero). Then, using the lead sheet chords above the etude, play the same 36 measures in a chordal comping pattern that shows consistent time and is in an appropriate style to accompany the melody.
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Bass - Play the Intro and the first 32 measures of “A Doll” from Jazz Conception for Bass (by Jim Snidero). Then, students should use the lead sheet chords above the etude and play a walking bassline that shows consistent time (quarter notes are fine) and knowledge of how to walk over chord changes. Performing this on upright bass is recommended, but electric bass works as well.
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Drums - Play the Intro and the first 32 measures of “A Doll” from Jazz Conception for Drums (by Jim Snidero). In addition, please submit two recordings in the following two styles and tempos. A Latin groove for 16 measures (bpm = 172) and a 3/4 swing feel with brushes for 16 measures (bpm = 84).
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Vibes - Play the first 36 measures of “A Doll” from Jazz Conception for Guitar (by Jim Snidero).
Instructions for Improvisation
Find the sheet music and chord changes to “Now’s The Time” for your instrument HERE. Students should play the melody two times, then go on to solo for 2 choruses. Record yourself playing along to THIS recording.
Submitting your Audition Recordings:
Please submit your placement audition recording by 5/15/26. You may do this via email, though file size may prohibit this. You may also consider sharing a file through Google Docs, DropBox, Youtube, or another file-sharing service of your choice. Recordings are kept confidential and will only be shared with Hopkins music faculty.
Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.
Hopkins School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.