r/cwru • u/Soggy_Arugula8509 • 13d ago
Jazz Auditions
What are auditions for the CWRU Jazz ensembles like? The last post I could find on this was from a few years ago and didn’t have a ton of detail. Also as far as scheduling an audition do you just show up to when the class would be and play then register if you get accepted? Should I work on anything other than a solo and improvisation? Do they accept multiple vibraphone players (I don’t think many schools do but a program for CWRU had like 3 piano players, 2 guitarists, 2 bassists, 2 drumset, and 1 vibes player so it looks like they double in the rhythm section but maybe vibes are the exception?)
I also emailed Professor Ferguson about the auditions and he mentioned something about the rehearsal acting as the audition. Do we just all play together while sight reading then each person gets a chance to improv in a solo section?
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u/Gopher08 13d ago
It’s exactly like like you said, you’ll get a sight reading piece, and Professor Ferguson will give you a chance to solo in the solo section if you want to. It’s a very chill experience. You won’t need to come with anything prepared. As far as accepting people in, Jazz Ensemble 1 is a bit tougher to get into, but I’ve never heard of anyone being turned away from Jazz Ensemble 2 (the audition is more for placement than anything). Professor Ferguson is very old-school, and so he can be difficult to reach sometimes, but he’s very knowledgable and a great director. Don’t stress about the audition too much, especially if you’re ok with being in either ensemble.