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
2026 Audition Information Packet
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 — Drew Zaremba
High School Honor Jazz Band Clinician — Grant Larson
High School Audition Information
High School Audition Resource Folder
Winds:
- “In a Sentimental Mood” – Duke Ellington (A-section excerpt)
- Unaccompanied
- Interpret the melody in an improvisational style while staying true to the original melodic construct
- “Au Privave” – Charlie Parker
- With an audible backing track
- Play the head twice followed by 2 choruses of improvisation.
- “Autumn Leaves” – Joseph Kosma
- With an audible backing track
- Play the head followed by 1 chorus of improvisation
Piano/Guitar:
- “In a Sentimental Mood” – Duke Ellington (A-section excerpt)
- Unaccompanied
- Interpret the melody in an improvisational style while staying true to the original melodic construct
- “Au Privave” – Charlie Parker
- With an audible backing track (Piano/Guitar removed)
- Play the head once followed by 1 chorus of comping and 1 chorus of improvisation.
- “Autumn Leaves” – Joseph Kosma
- With an audible backing track (Piano/Guitar removed)
- Play the head once followed by 1 chorus of comping and 1 chorus of improvisation.
Bass:
- “In a Sentimental Mood” – Duke Ellington A-section excerpt (acoustic bass preferred)
- Unaccompanied
- Interpret the melody in an improvisational style while staying true to the original melodic construct
- “Au Privave” – Charlie Parker
- With an audible backing track (Bass removed)
- Play the head once followed by 1 chorus of walking and 1 chorus of improvisation.
- “Autumn Leaves” – Joseph Kosma
- With an audible backing track (Bass removed)
- Play the head once followed by 1 chorus of walking and 1 chorus of improvisation.
Drums:
All styles should be performed without a metronome
- Medium-tempo swing (quarter note = 120-140 BPM)
- 32 bars playing time with a fill after 16 bars
- 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)
- 32 bars playing time with a fill after 16 bars
- Fusion/Funk “Linear” Groove in 5/4 or 7/4 time signatures
- 32 bars AABA form (play time for 16 bars, solo for 8 bars, play time for 8 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)
Vibes/Percussion:*
- “Au Privave” – Charlie Parker
- With an audible backing track
- Play the head twice followed by 2 choruses of improvisation.
- “Autumn Leaves” – Joseph Kosma
- With an audible backing
- Play the head followed by 1 chorus of improvisation
- Congas – Tumbao pattern (approx. 30 seconds)
- Congas – Pattern of your choice (approx. 30 seconds)
*Vibes/Percussion players: A vibes/percussion player will be used in 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.
Middle School Audition Information
Middle School Audition Resource Folder
- 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.