Below please find audition packets for alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, guitar, piano, bass, and drums. Each downloadable PDF file contains materials suitable for either combo or big band auditions. For younger or more novice music students who might find portions of these materials too difficult to prepare, don’t let that stop you from auditioning. Just strive to play whatever you can and demonstrate your own unique gifts.

​

Please note there are two alternative option to these PDF files available to all students auditioning for VJC big bands in November/December each year:

 

1) Anyone trying out for AZ All-State Jazz Ensembles may substitute those audition materials (provided by ABODA) for the VJC audition packet. Please let us know in advance if you want to use those materials (usually a packet of four etudes by jazz composer Mike Tomaro) instead of the VJC packet. Thank you.

​

2) For less experienced student musicians (perhaps 8th or 9th graders, or maybe older HS students who are still new to jazz), you are welcome to bring representative music from your junior high school or high school music program—ideally, things you are currently working on in your school ensembles—and perform that as your audition.

​

The bottom line? We would much prefer that you audition for the VJC, so that we can work with you and help you continue to grow, rather than have you decline to audition for us because the audition materials seem too difficult. PLEASE JOIN US and know that we strive to meet players where they are before we start our real work: growing together as young, creative musicians and growing together as people.