auditions

1. 1. 1. 1. “Lady Bird” (Tadd Dameron)
         2. “Sophisticated Lady” (Duke Ellington)
         3. “Blue Monk” (Thelonious Monk)

The format of the audition will be for you to play the head (once for #2, twice for #1 and #3), improvise on the chords/form, then play the head out. 

Play “Lady Bird” in concert C (first chord is concert Cmaj7), “Sophisticated Lady” in concert Ab (first chord is concert Bb-7), and “Blue Monk” in concert Bb (first chord is Bb7); transpose as needed for your instrument.  If you are a vocalist, find the appropriate key for your voice and be prepared to mention that for each tune at the audition.

2) Sightread some things (be able to read and interpret notes on a staff, a leadsheet, an ensemble part, etc.)

IMPORTANT NOTES about the auditions:

1. 1. 1. 1. FOR ALL AUDITIONEES–the audition location will be emailed to you at a later date
         2. FOR ALL AUDITIONEES–bring your own instrument UNLESS you are a pianist or drummer.  For piano, bring nothing. For drums, bring your brushes and sticks.  A piano, a drumset, and an amplifier (for bass and guitar and voice) will be provided.
         3. PIANISTS need to comp for themselves (which means play melody AND chords at the same time) though not necessarily in a solo format
         4. GUITARISTS don’t need to play the melody and chords simultaneously, but they do need to be able to play the melody, and separately comp the harmonies effectively
         5. VOCALISTS should sing the lyrics to “Lady Bird” and “Sophisticated Lady” and vocalize the melody to “Blue Monk” without lyrics (unless you want to write your own vocalese, which is totally fine to do, but not required).

TIPS for all auditionees

1. 1. 1. 1. Spend LOTS of time listening to, and playing along with, different recordings of the audition tunes.  Demonstrating an understanding of the right vibe/feel of the tunes is super important.  Playing the right notes is expected, but playing with the right rhythmic feel is paramount.  You will only acquire this from studying recordings.
         2. Learn the tunes in a variety of tempi.  The tunes feel different at different speeds.
         3. If you have a keyboard available, play through the harmonies and really hear what’s happening in the tune (try to understand the voice-leading).  Listening to recordings of other people playing the tune (such as the reference recordings) will aid greatly in your understanding.  Simply reading the tune out of a fakebook will not make you audition well.
         4. This music is about expression and telling a story.  Technique is only to execute ideas.  Focus on making ideas that make sense and that are expressive.  Don’t try to play a bunch of technical nonsense.  Faster/higher/louder is not better.
         5. The comping part (for rhythm section folks) is about making things groove AS WELL AS responding to a soloist.  You are being judged on both of these qualities.  Creativity and rhythmic solidity.
         6. For everyone: when improvising…know when to play, and know when to be silent!  9 times out of 10, people play way too much.  This music is about having a conversation.  The most important (and interesting) part of a conversation is what you hear when you stop speaking.  Consider this.
         7. Practice singing things before you play them.  This will ensure that you are actually “hearing” the music and ideas that you play, versus simply operating an instrument.  There is a difference.
         8. Get started NOW!  You have all summer; give it your best shot by preparing slowly and methodically.  Success will not come to those who try to “cram”.  There’s no way you will convincingly play the required tunes by waiting until the last minute.  Remember, you are competing against other people for a limited number of spots.  You want to show your best.

FINAL NOTES

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to send an email to the Director, Professor Haskins, at vxhaskins@wm.edu

If there are any things about the above requirements that need to be changed, this page will be updated directly so that everyone may have the benefit of the knowledge, so pop back in periodically and check on it.  You will know something has been updated because at the top of the page it will state when and where the changes have occurred on the page.

Do your best.  Everyone has different degrees of ability and experience with this music.  If you aren’t used to improvising, try it anyway.  Don’t let your inability to do something discourage you.  At any rate, don’t skip doing any of the requirements.  Most of what you need to be successful is totally within your abilities and control.

Good luck, y’all.

-Prof. Haskins