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 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Friday, September 26 and between 10:00 and 2:00 on Saturday, September 27, 2025.  Auditions will take place in room 1036 of the School of Fine Arts – Music, in the Education Building on the U of S campus.

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 4, at the Saskatoon Concert Band Hall, 238 Avenue V North. Demonstrated commitment to weekly rehearsals from 9:45 a.m. to noon from October 4 until the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival in July 2026 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 $350.00 for the full season.

Audition Requirements

Instrumentalists

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:

1.) Chromatic Scale

A chromatic scale legato tongued over your playing range, ascending and descending. Pick a tempo that allows you to showcase your technique.

2.) Own Choice

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.

3.) Required Excerpt

All players 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:

• Trumpet Play from measure 54 to the end of the piece with the recording
• Trombone Play from measure 54 to the end of the piece with the recording
• Guitar Play the entire piece along with the recording
• Bass Play the entire piece along with the recording
• Alto Sax Play from measure 54 to the end of the piece with the recording
• Bari Sax Play from measure 54 to the end of the piece with the recording
• Tenor Sax Play from measure 54 to the end of the piece with the recording
• Piano Play measure 14 (21 sec in) to measure 53 along with the recording
• Drums Play the entire piece along with the recording

4.) Improvisation

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 blues 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:

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.)

5.) Sight Reading

Finally, there will be a sight reading excerpt for all players in medium swing style.

Vocalists

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 New Year’s Eve at TCU, the U of S Masquerade at the Manhattan Ballroom, the Jazz Festival and one other opportunity. 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)

1. A one octave chromatic scale ascending and descending (on the syllable “doo”) starting on a note of your choice. Your starting note will then be played on the piano before you begin and then played again once you return to/sustain the last note.
2. Own choice song. Something which you feel showcases your ability. If possible, the piece should be from the jazz repertoire, rather than a contemporary pop song.  You may choose to sing unaccompanied or with a backing track (which you would provide on your phone).
3. Prepare the song Little Boat using the PDF and jam track which appear above.  You will be asked to sing the 2 verses (preferably memorized) once with the accompaniment and a second time without the accompaniment.
4. Optional: If you wish to demonstrate your improvisation skills by scat singing, you can choose to do so either using the Little Boat jam track or the blues improv/jam track found in section 4 of the instrumental auditions above.