Note: If you have any questions about the auditions process or the SYJO itself, please email SYJO Director Nick Fanner at nick@saskatoonjazzorchestra.com.
Scheduled SYJO auditions will take place by appointment between 6:00 and 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25, as well as between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Auditions will take place in room 1036 of the School of Fine Arts – Music, in the Education Building on the U of S campus. The deadline to submit the Audition Request Sign Up Form is Monday, September 21 at 11:59 p.m. Please don’t wait until then!
All those auditioning will be contacted by email to confirm their audition time, date and location as well as regarding whether or not their audition was successful in securing a spot in this season’s group.
Weekly rehearsals will begin on Saturday, October 3, at the Saskatoon Concert Band Hall, 238 Avenue V North. Demonstrated commitment to weekly rehearsals from 9:45 a.m. to noon from October 3 until the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival in July 2027 is an expectation. Those with attendance problems may be asked to withdraw from the group. We’re looking for students who will demonstrate commitment to rehearsals and performances and “shedding” (practicing parts outside of rehearsal) in order to make this experience as musically rewarding as it can be.
Those auditioning for the SYJO must be between the ages of 14 and 22.
It must also be stated that while not all schools offer jazz band opportunities for students, it is an expectation that in order to be a member of the SYJO, members of this ensemble must be contributing members of their school’s jazz program, should such a program exist in their school.
In short, if you’re a strong musician with a great attitude, both groups can benefit from your participation.
Note that while there is no charge for auditioning, successful candidates will be asked to pay a registration fee of $375.00 for the full season. If your audition is successful and the registration fee would make it difficult for you to participate, please reply to that acceptance email indicating that financial assistance is needed. We will do everything we can to ensure that finances are not holding you back from participating.
Don’t let the idea of an audition scare you; we just want to hear you play and get a sense of where you’re at. To that end, the audition will involve the following five things:
A chromatic scale legato tongued over your playing range, ascending and descending. Pick a tempo that allows you to showcase your technique.
Perform a prepared jazz study or one of your parts that you have performed in the past (at least 16, but no more than 32 bars in length). Try to select a passage which highlights your abilities.
All players except drummers will be asked to perform the repertoire excerpt (a.k.a. part of a piece of music!) both with and without the demo recording.
You can take a listen to/practice along with the repertoire excerpt here:
(On your computer, you can right click this link and "Save As" to download this track)
Please View/Download the Required Excerpt sheet music below, simply by clicking on the name of the instrument:
Note that the excerpt for brass, woodwinds and vibes begins at about 3:24 of the recording and leads off with the trombones and lower saxes calling, and the other instruments responding, (trading phrases).
For All Players (except drums)
Click here for the Eb version for Alto Sax & Bari Sax
Click here for the Bb version for Trumpet & Tenor Sax
Click here for the C/Concert Pitch version for Trombone, Guitar, Vibes, Piano, Bass
You can take a listen to/practice along with the improv/jam backing track here:
(On your computer, you can right click this link and "Save As" to download this track)
You may wish to solo/improvise along with this jam track using only a concert F major scale OR you can use the chord sheet to show your ability to make the changes, if you are at that level in your understanding/ability.
Pianists, Guitarists, and Vibraphonists:
In addition to the above, create an accompaniment or “comp” for a chorus or two, with two note voicings using only the 3rds and 7ths of each chord.
Bassists:
In addition to the above, can you demonstrate a chorus or two of walking bass lines using the C/Concert Pitch chord changes above to show your ability to create a bass line from chord symbols? (You’ll perform this without the jam track).
Drummers:
Play a New Orleans second line groove along with the bassist in this video for the first 2 choruses (16 bars each), before switching to a swing beat where the 3rd chorus begins (at 0:59). *Your focus should be on playing in time with the bass in both the New Orleans groove and the straight-ahead swing groove. NOTE: you must adjust the playback speed to 1.25 (you’ll find this in the control wheel).
(Here is an explanation of New Orleans Second Line Groove on drum set, in case you need it)
Can you perform the Basic Swing Pattern exercises found here (PDF) playing each exercise 4 times before going on to the next one without stopping? Can you do this at a medium tempo? Can you also play this at a faster/upbeat tempo?
Can you perform the Independence exercises found here (PDF)?
Can you play the Basic Samba groove shown here?
Finally, are there any other styles you would like to demonstrate? (Shuffle, Bossa Nova, slow swing/ballad with brushes, etc.)
Finally, there will be a sight reading excerpt for all players in medium swing style.
In recent years vocalists have expressed an interest in auditioning for the SYJO. While a vocalist may be able to participate, they are typically much less involved on an ongoing basis. It would be reasonable to assume that a vocalist would be able to be featured three or four times with the SYJO. This could potentially involve singing with the SYJO at an SJO concert, at the U of S Masquerade at the Manhattan Ballroom, the Jazz Festival and one other performance. Ultimately the strength of the auditions will determine whether or not the SYJO involves a vocalist this season.
Click here for the vocal audition chart PDF (Little Boat)
You can take a listen to/practice along with the vocal audition track here (Little Boat):
(On your computer, you can right click this link and "Save As" to download this track)