2024 Auditions

Jazz auditions for all instruments (voice, winds and rhythm section) will be held on Monday, August 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Greene Street Sanctuary. Jazz auditions are for both large and small ensembles, and include consideration and placement in the following:

The Left Bank Big Band, Swing Shift, the Jazz Lab Band, and Jazz Combos are courses for credit at the University of South Carolina School of Music. Membership in each ensemble is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major of classification. The ensembles require an audition and placement by the jazz faculty. 

• The Left Bank Big Band meets Mondays and Wednesdays 2:20 - 4 p.m.
• Swing Shift meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:05 - 11:20 a.m.
• Jazz Lab Band meets Mondays 5:15 - 6:30 p.m.
• There are numerous Jazz combos organized according to skill and experience. All combos meet Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:10 - 2:05 p.m. 

For your audition, please be prepared to do the following:

• Sight read a jazz ensemble chart (provided to you at the audition).
• Optional (but highly encouraged): Improvise over a blues or standard you choose. This is required for consideration in jazz combos and a solo chair in one of the large ensembles.
• Rhythm section players (piano, drums, guitar, bass): please be prepared to perform swing, bossa nova, samba, funk and other requested styles at various tempos.