Semester Startup

The Jazz Ensemble Scheduling and Startup Agreements Form Closes after the First Tuesday

Placement auditions are contingent upon receipt of the Ensemble Scheduling and Startup Agreements Form, which is not accepted after the stated deadline. The form is available for submission two weeks before the first Tuesday cutoff. Students who wish to participate in ensembles must complete this form by the deadline and attend the Jazz Orientation and Placement Auditions the following day.

Form Corrections

To update the information you’ve already submitted, simply complete another form – information from the most recent submission will be used.

Missed Form Deadline

Per the Jazz Handbook, missing the First Tuesday hard deadline results in a zero (0) audition ranking for that semester, with no exceptions made. Completing an audition anyway will not change the existing zero ranking. It is the student’s responsibility to earn the required ensemble credits and observe all placement procedures. The jazz program is not responsible for missed credits or prioritizing placement for those with zero rankings.

Jazz Orientation and Placement Auditions take place on the First Wednesday of each semester. Auditions are contingent upon the timely receipt of the Ensemble Scheduling and Startup Agreements Form. Jazz placement results from auditions are then announced by the First Weekend.

Students qualify for ensembles based on their placement results, without consideration of prior semester rankings. It’s important to note that returning students do not receive any placement advantages; all are expected to audition and re-qualify for all jazz ensembles each semester.

Custom audition times cannot be facilitated outside of the above schedule, and accommodations for missed auditions are not possible.

Overview

Students auditioning for jazz placement are evaluated in sight-reading, jazz improvisation, and overall performance. Music will be provided for sight-reading and improvisation, and students should plan to bring a prepared selection. Knowledge of jazz theory, such as chords and scales, may also be assessed. An advanced placement result is required for entry into advanced ensembles.

Non-jazz majors are encouraged to meet as many audition criteria as they’re able (see additional information for non-majors below). Individual auditions are conducted at the discretion of the jazz faculty member(s) present.

All Instruments (except Drums)

Perform a Jazz Selection

Perform the melody and improvise over the chord changes of any jazz standard, such as from the Tune-List or a similar repertoire. Prepare for a solo presentation, with the possibility of accompaniment based on availability. No backing tracks are allowed.

Examples of Scales, Arpeggios, and Theory

Demonstration of the following may be requested:

• Major, Minor, Blues scales and jazz mode scales and chords
• Sight-read a jazz tune selection or band chart

Jazz Drums (supersedes the above requirements)

• Perform the following time feels: Swing in 4/4, 3/4, 5/4, and 7/8 (slow, medium, and up-tempo, with sticks and brushes), Afro-Cuban 6/8, Bossa Nova, and Samba.
• Interchange time feels with solos as requested: 4 bars time, 4 bars solo. 8 bars time, 8 bars solo, etc, as dictated
• Sight-read drum charts and/or lead sheets, outline melodic content and hits while keeping time
• Note: Drum adjudicators may include, at their discretion, basic keyboard tests of jazz scales, jazz modes, and related chords

Students are responsible for registering for the ensemble courses they have been placed into after the jazz placement results are posted during the Drop/Add period.

Once announced, undergraduate students who have qualified for ensembles will be sent Special Permission Numbers (SPNs) to register their ensemble courses within the Drop/Add period.

Graduate students will contact their academic advisor for respective SPNs as needed.

Please refer to the “Ensemble Registration FAQ” below.

I received the email containing ensemble SPNs, but not all of my ensembles are listed. Why?

Please note that many ensembles are coded as various sections of a single course number; however, you can only register for one section of a course number at a time. The Special Permission Numbers sent to you represent the course registrations that are actually possible within this limitation, meaning that some of your ensembles may not be registrable. This is often the case for students enrolled in multiple Alternate Large ensembles or Chamber Jazz courses.

But I want all my ensembles to be listed for credit on my transcript. What can I do!?

The subsection limitation has been in effect for years, so this preference may not be possible. Please contact your academic adviser for more details.

I’m now registering for my ensembles, and it asks for a special permission number. Where do I get that?

Ensemble registrations can only occur AFTER placement audition results are released during the Drop/Add period. Undergraduate students will receive an email with the necessary student permission numbers (SPNs) to register for their qualified ensembles. Graduate students should contact their academic advisor for needed SPNs.

Do I still need to pre-register for section 01 only of a Large or Chamber Jazz Ensemble?

No. The legacy process is no longer needed, as all ensemble courses now require SPNs. Students will not register for ensembles in advance.

Are there any ensembles that I can pre-register for before the start of the semester?

No. Ensemble registrations are allowed only after placement audition results are released and must be completed during the Drop/Add period. SPNs will not be available before then.

I just completed my placement audition. Can I now register for ensembles?

No. Ensemble registrations are allowed only after placement audition results are released and must be completed during the Drop/Add period. SPNs will not be available until then.

When will the Placement Audition results be released?

Audition results will be announced by the First-Weekend (Saturday/Sunday) of the semester after placement auditions have concluded.

When will SPNs be sent to me?

After placement results are announced, undergraduate students will receive an email with their SPNs by the first Monday of the Drop/Add period. Graduate students should contact their academic advisor for SPNs.

Why are SPNs not sent to Graduate students as well?

Graduate students only enroll in courses they choose to pay for. Many participate in ensembles that do not earn credit. As a result, the jazz program does not handle their course scheduling, and students should consult with their graduate academic advisor for these matters.

What is the university deadline to register for ensemble courses?

Students must register for ensemble courses during the Drop/Add period, which typically ends by the second week of the semester. Please check school announcements or consult your academic adviser for details.

What is the “Drop/Add” period?

The university has a Drop/Add period at the start of each semester, lasting about eight class days. During this time, students can add or drop courses without penalties. For more details, please contact your academic advisor.

I missed the Drop/Add period registration deadline. Now what?

We may not be able to process your ensemble registrations for the semester, which could affect your prerequisites and credit load. Please contact your academic adviser for more information.

Ensemble scheduling takes priority over the scheduling of individual private jazz lessons. It’s acceptable to discuss potential lesson times with your private instructor ahead of auditions. However, lesson times can only be confirmed once the ensemble placement results are released on the First Weekend.

Ensemble Preference

Students can express interest in specific ensembles, but participation depends on the results of semester placement auditions, which determine eligibility.

Faculty Designation

Jazz majors may be assigned to ensembles by the faculty, regardless of their preferences, as stated in the Jazz Handbook. They should prioritize their schedules, especially during the drop/add period, to meet the program’s requirements.

Placement Priority

Ensembles are considered a class, and placement decisions are treated as assignments. Once accepted, students are required to attend all on-campus and off-campus performances and activities. Failure to uphold this commitment will result in losing the audition spot to another student, with no exceptions. Substitutes for a performance are not allowed. Students should manage their schedules professionally to accommodate ensemble activities.

Students in jazz studies are responsible for being aware of all scheduled events that apply to them, as detailed in the Jazz Event Calendar and the Jazz Handbook. By signing the Jazz Handbook Agreement Form, they commit to keeping their calendars open for these events. At the start of the semester, students should review the events and check for updates regularly.

We invite all currently enrolled non-jazz major Rutgers students to audition for large, alternate large, and chamber jazz ensembles, subject to seat availability each semester.

To participate, students must complete the Jazz Ensemble Scheduling and Startup Agreements Form and attend Jazz Orientation and Auditions on the first Wednesday of the semester. Only a signed Jazz Student Handbook agreement is required; no other forms apply.

Non-jazz major participation each semester is contingent upon:

• Their being a currently enrolled Rutgers student
• Their audition placement result
• Their ability to commit to all rehearsal and performance times
• Available seats and needs within any given ensemble
• Qualifications and requirements as governed by the jazz faculty

After placement results are announced, non-jazz majors who qualify for ensembles will receive by email the SPNs needed to register for their ensemble courses.