PMEA All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble 2016 –Audition Instructions
Submission Deadline-Midnight- MONDAY, December 21, 2015
Directors who wish to have their students (grades 10-12 only) considered for selection should:
1. Complete the application form with payment ($10.00) online at www.pmea.submittable.com. The Director must
be a current PMEA member.
2. All audition selections must be submitted online via Submittable. Each requirement must be recorded from
start to finish without cuts and/or splices. The recording may be stopped between selections of each
requirement. The video must have a clock with second hand visible behind the applicant. No identifying
clothing may be worn (i.e. no school t-shirts, no name identification, no PMEA, NAfME All-Eastern or National
shirts)
3. Have application uploaded by Midnight, Monday, December 21, 2015. The “Window of Opportunity” to
upload the recording begins Monday, November 9, 2015.
4. Expect notification by Monday, February 1st, 2016. (The Monday after 2016 district band).
5. The director is asked to view the file and verify the recorded audition is consistent with the student’s level of
performance.
6. Students may audition on multiple instruments or voice parts. However, a separate payment and Submittable
application is required for each submission. All requirements for EACH instrument or voice part must be met
and sent on a separate upload video.
7. (Instrumental Jazz Only)-The second ranked piano, drummer and bass applicants will be selected as the
rhythm section for the 2016 All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
If selected for the 2016 PMEA Jazz or Vocal Jazz Ensemble, the student will no longer be eligible for any
of the other All-State ensembles.
VOCAL JAZZ AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
1. Sing two (2) different major scales in swing eighth notes using jazz syllables of your choice (ascending
and descending; tempo: quarter note=100; one octave; include the ninth on top).
2. Sing Body and Soul, found on pages 19-20 of It Had to Be You: 24 Standards in Singer’s Keys,
Volume 107, by Jamey Aebersold (published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Inc.). Sing unaccompanied
using the lyrics in ballad tempo. Change the key to suit your range. Sing once through the entire song
(with repeats and coda).
3. Sing It Had to Be You, found on pages 1-2 of It Had to Be You: 24 Standards in Singer’s Keys, Volume
107, by Jamey Aebersold (published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Inc.). Sing one chorus
unaccompanied using scat syllables in medium swing tempo. Change the key to suit your range.
4. Sing Bye Bye Blackbird, found on pages 25, using the accompaniment provided with It Had to Be
You: 24 Standards in Singer’s Keys, Volume 107, by Jamey Aebersold (published by Jamey Aebersold
Jazz, Inc.). Sing the first chorus using melody and lyrics; improvise on the second and third choruses
using scat syllables. Stylistically appropriate interpretations of the melody are acceptable.