About
Combined League Jazz Band is open to students in grades 9-12 located north of I-70 and east of the continental divide. This is a wonderful event that gives students, especially those who aren’t in All-State, the opportunity to be in a high-quality ensemble.
The High School ensembles are open to current 9th – 12th grade students. The Middle School ensemble is open to current 6th – 8th grade students.
The participation fee for each student is $45. Concert tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children 6 and under.
Date, Location & Clinicians
Festival Date: November 17th, 2026 | Location:Frederick High School – Concert at 6pm
Audition Due Date: September 27th, 2026 11:59pm | Please read the audition information below carefully
Middle School Honor Jazz Band Clinician — Dan Bell
High School Honor Jazz Band Clinician — TBD
High School Honor Jazz Band Clinician — TBD
High School Audition Information
High School Audition Resource Folder
Audition Submission Form
- Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone: TBD
- Chromatic scale for the range of your instrument, up and down, with a tempo and articulation of your choice.
- Piano, Guitar, Bass: TBD
- Drum set:
- Medium-tempo swing (quarter note = 120-140 BPM) 32 bars playing time
- Up-tempo swing (quarter note = 220+) 32 bars playing time followed by 32 bars of solo
- 3/4 swing (quarter note = 150-180) 32 bars AABA form (play time for 16 bars, solo for 8 bars, play time for 8 bars)
- Ballad w/brushes (quarter note = 70-80 BPM) 16 bars
- Afro-Cuban or Brazilian style of your choice 32 bars AABA form (play time for 16 bars, solo for 8 bars, play time for 8 bars)
- Funk or hip-hop style of your choice 32 bars AABA form (play time for 16 bars, solo for 8 bars, play time for 8 bars)
- Vibes/Percussion*: TBD
- Congas – Tumbao pattern (approx. 30 seconds)
- Congas – Pattern of your choice (approx. 30 seconds)
- *Vibes/Percussion players: A vibes/percussion player will be used by the Combined League Honor Jazz Bands with the following conditions:
- Vibraphone and percussion parts are available in the set of charts performed by the Combined League Honor Jazz Bands and a proficient player on vibraphone and percussion is determined through the audition process.
- *Vibes/Percussion players: A vibes/percussion player will be used by the Combined League Honor Jazz Bands with the following conditions:
Middle School Audition Information
Middle School Audition Resource Folder
Audition Submission Form
- All instruments must perform the excerpt from “Satin Doll”, arr. Michael Sweeney in the resource folder
- All audition parts are marked with a start and end
- There are additional parts included for flute, clarinet, horn, and tuba*
- *Directors are expected to transpose parts for accepted students on these additional instruments if parts are not available in the set of charts to be performed
- Backing track must be used and are available in the Google folder
- Winds: Play an additional improvisation over one chorus of F Blues.
- Drummer: Play additional examples of swing, Latin, and rock
- Perform 16 bars total of each style with an appropriate fill after the 8th bar
Questions?
Please contact Nathan Park with any questions regarding the audition process or event.
You can reach him at: jazz@combinedleague.org.