JAZZ

Further information on our Jazz Program.

2024/2025 FACULTY OF MUSIC JAZZ ENSEMBLES AT A GLANCE

  • Jazz Orchestra (12tet): Mon & Wed 11:00am-1:00pm Jim Lewis
  • Jazz Orchestra: Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm Shirantha Beddage
  • Hybrid Ensemble: Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm Andrew Downing
  • Vocal Jazz: Mon & Wed 11:00am-1:00pm Christine Duncan

Jazz Placement Auditions – Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles

(Non-Music Students, please follow the information for Arts & Science students)

Auditions to determine placement in vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles (Big Band, 12tet, Hybrid, Vocal Jazz and combos) will be held at the Faculty of Music, 90 Wellesley location, on Tuesday, September 3 and Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

On Tuesday, September 3 and Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Instrumental Group Auditions from 5:00-7:00pm (Tues) and 4:00-6:00pm (Wed).
All Undergrads: Research and learn the melody and harmony for two pieces:

  1. Alone Together – Arthur Schwartz (D minor 130 – 150 bpm)
  2. Groovin’ High – Dizzy Gillespie (Eb Major 160 – 180 bpm)
  3. Be prepared to improvise (no reading music)

Students have been assigned a group and time:

Students are identified in the schedules by the last 5 digits of their student number.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. Some double basses and drums have been scheduled twice for instrumentation purposes – these are highlighted in yellow.

On Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Voice Auditions for Ensemble Placement from 10:00am-1:00pm.
Voice auditions will consist of:

  1. Year 1 – New students, please be prepared to sing one of the three charts attached Jazz Voice Excerpts.
  2. Years 2 & 3 – Returning vocalists are to choose between Stella by Starlight, All the Things You Are, or Chega de Saudade/No More Blues (which can be sung either in English or Portuguese). Bring your own charts for the chosen tune in your key, one for the accompanist and one for the panel. Be prepared to solo over the form of the song.
  3. All students should be prepared to sight read and improvise.

All new Voice students – please arrive at 10:00am.
Returning Voice students have been assigned a time: Jazz Voice Audition Schedule.  Students are identified in the schedule by the last 5 digits of their student number.
Year 4 students – Christine Duncan will schedule a meeting to discuss placement.


If you are interested in auditioning for any other ensemble at the Faculty of Music, or if you have questions concerning your Jazz audition, please contact Eddy Aitken at (416) 978-3733 edna.aitken@utoronto.ca or Amanda Eyer Haberman at (416) 978-3746 performance.music@utoronto.ca.

 

OTHER JAZZ INFORMATION: Mandatory master classes for all students in the Jazz program are scheduled Fridays, 3-5pm. Do not book classes or electives during this time slot. Missed master classes will result in a deduction from Applied lesson grades.

There will be a mandatory meeting for all Jazz students in the UJS on
Friday, September 6, 2024: Schedule TBA.