Auditioning for National Bands

Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band (NYJB)

All students auditioning for the NYJB must prepare a piece indicating their technical virtuosity on their instrument, and will perform some sight-reading, as well as jazz improvisation in a small ensemble playing arrangements provided on the day of the audition.

Those auditioning for the NYJB will be assessed by a single small audition panel looking for musical skills at an advanced level.  Students auditioning for the NYJB are required to be able to read music.

Standard Bank National Schools Big Band (NSBB)

**NEW PROCEDURE FOR 2011**
Students auditioning for the NSBB will all be assessed by a single small audition panel and will be assessed on ensemble sensitivity, jazz musicality, tone quality, technical ability, reading skills and improvisational creativity.

Students auditioning for the NSBB will need to play:
1)  one of four specified audition pieces  provided by the NYJF. See below. Students will also be required to improvise over the chords of these pieces. There is no need to prepare a separate audition piece.
2)  sight reading
3)  jazz improvisation in a small ensemble. This ensemble music will be provided at registration.

Vocalists do not need to prepare the four instrumental pieces, but must instead prepare a piece of their choice (bring piano accompaniment if necessary).

Audition Downloads

1.  Black Morpheus (Latin)
2.  Blues for the Groovesponge (Blues)
3.  Gots Me Some (Rhythm changes)
4.  GT Funk

Please take note of the following:

  1. Horn players can choose one of the following three as their audition piece:  Black Morpheus, Blues for the Groovesponge & Gots Me Some.  Horn players may not choose GT Funk as an audition piece.
  2. All rhythm section players (drums, bass, guitar, piano) must be able to play all four pieces in the auditions.  They must be versatile in all 4 styles.
  3. Students must be able to sight read, play and improvise over these pieces.   There will be a second round of auditions with other pieces to be handed out in GHT.
  4. Vocalists must prepare a piece of their choice.  They do not need to perform the above pieces.

Anyone auditioning for either national band must be able to produce their ID document at the auditions.


Anyone selected for a national band may not be involved in any external performances or rehearsals for the period of the NYJF.