Jazz Ensembles

Big Band Jazz

The University of North Dakota Jazz Ensembles play a wide variety of big band repertoire and perform for many events both on and off campus. With over 40 years of history, UND's Jazz Ensembles have a reputation of excellence and have earned numerous accolades and awards over the years including a coveted main stage performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Entrance is limited to traditional big band instruments: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, drums, and percussion. Big Band Jazz ensembles meet on the following days:

  • One O'clock Jazz Band - MUSC 273, Sec 2 - M/W/F 1:00-1:50 pm
  • Twelve O'clock Jazz Band – MUSC 273, Sec 1 - M/W/F 12:00 pm-12:50 pm

Jazz Combos

Jazz combos — dedicated to playing small group jazz — consist of a rhythm section (bass, drums, piano or guitar) and one to four other instruments, depending on balance and ability level. Combos are open to players of all instruments, as well as vocalists.

Combos traditionally meet once per week at agreed upon times and perform at different times and events throughout the semester. The experience level in combos varies widely, and every effort is made to match players of similar ability levels. 

The UND Rock 'n Rhythm Review

The UND Rock & Rhythm Review is a select ensemble that performs for the UND men's and women's basketball games and concerts at UND and throughout the region. It is an extended jazz band set-up with a full rhythm section.

Covering rock hits from today, horn band hits from the 60's, 70's & 80's to hard swinging jazz classics, the UND Rock n' Rhythm Review has over 200 charts in rotation at any given time. In 2005, this band was voted "Best Basketball Band in the Nation for Division II Athletics". Audiences and crowds are always pleased by our high level of preparation and performance.

  • UND Rock 'n Rhythm Review – MUSC 399, sec. 10 – Rehearsal times TBD – 1 Credit Hour 

Jazz Audition Schedule

All students must audition. Auditions are 10 minutes in length and are done on a first come, first serve basis. Improvisation is optional.

Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Combos

  • Everyone. First come, first serve
  • Friday, Aug. 28
  • 12-2 p.m.
  • HFAC, Room 128

Audition Materials

Saxes Alto Sax Tenor Sax Bari Sax  
Trumpets Lead Trumpet Trumpet    
Trombones Trombone Bass Trombone    
Rhythm Guitar Bass Guitar Piano Drum Set

Saxophone and Brass Players

  • Major scales in the concert keys of Bb, Eb, and F and a chromatic scale across the range of the instrument. This is to assess basic tone quality and instrumental proficiency.
  • A short prepared piece for your instrument that can be found above.
  • A short sight-reading example that will be provided at the audition. Special sight reading may be asked for players with an interest and/or ability to play lead trumpet, lead trombone, or bass trombone.
  • A short improvised solo is optional. You will be asked to improvise either to a blues in the key of concert F or Bb. A recorded accompaniment will be provided at the audition. You may also bring in your own accompaniment CD if you choose.

Guitar/Piano and Bass Players

  • The prepared piece that can be found on the link above.
  • A short sight reading example that will include chord symbol reading as well as note reading.
  • A short improvised solo is required only for Guitar. It is optional for Piano and Bass. You will be asked to improvise either to a blues in the key of concert F or Bb. A recorded accompaniment will be provided at the audition. You may also bring in your own accompaniment CD if you choose.Guitar and Piano players should have some basic knowledge of chord construction and comping. Bass players should have some basic knowledge of bass line construction and interpreting chord symbols. These are essential for combo participation.

Percussionists

  • The prepared piece that can be found on the link above.
  • Play several different grooves in various tempos. Styles will include (but will not necessarily be limited to) swing, bossa, samba, funk, and different brush techniques.
  • Sight-read an excerpt of a big band drum part that includes fills and setups.

Please call or email Professor Robert Brooks with any questions: