Review these guidelines to get the most of your experience.

All-County Guidelines

PARTICIPATION POLICY FOR ECMEA ALL-COUNTY FESTIVALS 2026-2027

ECMEA has an established contract with its respective member districts, and therefore, each district’s music teachers, regarding school participation. The following guidelines delineate the responsibilities of the music educator who wishes to engage in festival participation. The following is in hierarchical order, i.e. guideline #1 must be satisfied before moving to guideline #2 etc.

1. A student’s school, to be qualified, must have paid the ECMEA District Participation Fee for the current school year at the time of registration for any ECMEA event.

2. A student applicant must be a participating member in good standing of the student’s corresponding instrumental or choral school performing ensemble at the time of the audition and at the time of the applicant’s [potential] membership in the All-County ensemble.

Specifically:

- A Choral applicant must be a member of their school chorus where such chorus exists.
- A String applicant must be a member of their school orchestra where such orchestra exists.
- A Wind or Percussion applicant must be a member of their school band or orchestra where such band or orchestra exists.
- A Vocal Jazz applicant must be a member of their school vocal jazz ensemble where such vocal jazz ensemble exists.
- An Instrumental Jazz applicant must be a member of their school instrumental jazz ensemble where such instrumental jazz ensemble exists.
- If the corresponding school music organization does not exist, then the applicant must be a participating member of some major school performing ensemble.
- Participation is defined as a minimum of 50% attendance and practice at in-school rehearsals where such rehearsals are offered and at all concert performances with this same school organization.

3. Each Audition Registration may only be submitted by the student’s school music director. A student being registered for an Instrumental Audition must be registered by the student’s qualifying school Instrumental Director. A student being registered for a Choral Audition must be registered by his/her qualifying school Choral Director. This will qualify the student for the solo/group audition and possible selection to an All-County ensemble. Registration of Elementary Choral students may only be submitted by the student’s qualifying school Choral Director to qualify the student for possible selection to an All-County Elementary Chorus. Registering a student for an Audition and possible selection to an All-County Ensemble is exclusive to member schools’ teachers, and not available to private teacher-members.

4. Students of private music teachers may only have their registrations submitted by the student’s public, private, or parochial school music teacher from the school district which has paid the annual ECMEA School Participation Fee.

5. If a home-schooled student fully participates in the student’s qualified school’s lesson and ensemble program (band, chorus, orchestra), the student is eligible to have an audition registration submitted by that qualified school’s ensemble director, following the rules in #2 above. Home-schooled students who do not meet the above requirements are ineligible to audition for an All-County ensemble.

6. All teachers registering students for All-County Auditions must do so through ecmea.dacapomusicfestivals.com by the deadline. Teachers should not mail a copy of their confirmation/invoice form to the Festival Office. Teachers should print one for their records. No late registrations or substitutions are permitted.

7. DEADLINES are FINAL. ECMEA publishes all deadlines and sends deadline reminders to all teachers. ECMEA strongly encourages teachers to submit their student names early to avoid any “last-minute” technical difficulties.

8. For students who require modifications/accommodations for either the ECMEA solo or ensemble festivals, a form must be completed by the teacher, parent/guardian, and principal. The form must be sent to the Festival Administrator by the school music teacher a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the festival. Accommodations should be documented on a student’s IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan, or they should be accommodations that are regularly used during the student’s music instructional program. Teachers can access the form here: ECMEA Accommodations Form

9. When registering for an ECMEA all county audition, you agree to accept the evaluation and score awarded by the assigned adjudicator. Any disagreement with the evaluation may be submitted to the Festival Administrator on the Adjudicator Evaluation Form.

10. In the event of an extraordinary situation not covered by the above Participation Policy, any decision rendered will be made by the Festival Administrator in collaboration with the ECMEA Board of Directors.

Festival Guidelines

ECMEA Festival Attendance Policy

Updated June 2026

A student’s full participation in all rehearsals is mandatory. If a conflict arises that would interfere with this requirement, notify your child’s teacher immediately so that an alternate can be selected.

Any student who is late for rehearsal or leaves rehearsal early, for any reason, will be dismissed from the ensemble by the Chairperson and Festival Liaisons. The use of School Transportation is highly recommended.

Any student whose behavior is deemed inappropriate at the all-county rehearsals or concert will be dismissed from the ensemble by the Chairperson and Festival Liaisons.

The use of any electronic device (cell phone, etc.) is prohibited during rehearsals and concerts.

Students are expected to be in their seats, ready to warm up and tune 15 minutes before the scheduled rehearsal time.

Should a student become ill during the rehearsals or concert:

1) A student must have reported to rehearsal or concert on time.
2) At rehearsal, after no more than one hour in the nurse’s office, the student must return to rehearsal or be dismissed from the ensemble.
3) Nothing in this attendance policy shall prevent ECMEA, in consultation with the Festival Administrator, school representatives, parents/guardians, and appropriate medical or support personnel, from making reasonable individualized accommodations for students with documented disabilities, medical needs, 504 plans, or IEPs. In such cases, decisions regarding continued participation shall be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the student’s health, safety, readiness to participate, and the essential requirements of the festival.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCESS

Non-compliance with the established protocol compromises not only the contractual relationships, but also the integrity of the festivals/evaluations. Compromises could have legal ramifications, not only to the individual music teachers, but to the organization as well. Furthermore, it is clearly the ethical/professional responsibility of the music educator to follow the established protocol and not compromise or penalize the students due to actions of the professional.

In the case of non-compliance with the ECMEA Participation Policy, the following protocol will be implemented:

A – Formal Response –

- The Festival Administrator, Executive Director and/or designee will notify the affected teacher of the non-compliance matter in writing as soon as possible.
- The respective building principal associated with the non-compliance, will be notified in writing of the matter under review. The building principal may elect to notify the Superintendent of Schools of the matter under review within 36 hours.
- The respective building or district administrator may forward a “Letter of Education” related to the issue of non-compliance to the cited teacher.

B – Resolution/Appeal Protocol –

If there is a need to resolve a non-compliance matter presented by a: Music Teacher, Parent, Student, ECMEA Festival Administrator, Executive Director and Board, or Other, then the initial elements of the appeal process reside with the Festival Administrator, followed by a review/decision from the ECMEA President and, when necessary, the Administrative Advisor(s) for the final source of resolve.

Choral Guidelines

CHORAL GUIDELINES FOR 2025-2026

ELEMENTARY CHORAL

Students are selected to an Elementary All-County Chorus by teacher recommendation.

Elementary (grades 5-6) Preliminary Applications are to be completed on ecmea.dacapomusicfestivals.com/ between September 15th and the October 15th deadline. The choral preliminary application asks for your actual chorus registration by grade, as well as the number of musically competent students by voice part that are worthy of recommendation.

After October 15th, Elementary Choral Teachers will receive their Blue or Red Chorus designation and their All-County registration allotment by voice part. Registration will then be open at ecmea.dacapomusicfestivals.com for individual student names until the November 15th deadline. Print out a confirmation/invoice form and retain for your records. In addition to filling your allotment, you may also recommend up to 10 (5 per voice part) alternates. All alternates to be considered MUST be registered at this time. Should you need to replace a singer, you may choose ANY student from your REGISTERED student list.

All ELEMENTARY cancellations and substitutions are made through the Choral Coordinator, Ann Mosner (from the list of registered students only) by the February 15th Elementary substitution deadline. No substitution can be made after the deadline. Names of substitutions made between Feb 2nd and 15th might not appear in the concert program but will be announced from the stage.

JUNIOR HIGH CHORAL

Students are selected to junior high all-county chorus by live vocal audition at the designated date and site for that festival. **NOTE: Audition specifics for the 2025-26 school year can be found online at ECMEA.org. Login and follow prompts to the CHORAL PAGE.

Teachers are to register student names and voice parts at ecmea.dacapomusicfestivals.com by the November 15th deadline. Students auditioning on both instrument and voice will be asked to choose between being selected for all-county chorus or band/orchestra at the vocal audition room.  Print out a confirmation/invoice form and retain for your records. Audition schedule will be emailed to teachers.

Please report cancellations to the Choral Coordinator, Ann Mosner, right up until the Festival Weekend. Reporting cancellations prior to February 1 will help ensure program accuracy. Since all students recommended for the JH Chorus at the auditions are selected, there are NO ALTERNATES.

Teachers must register students grades 7-9 for auditions on ecmea.dacapomusicfestivals.com by the November 15 deadline. Prior to the announcement of Choral Rosters, teachers will be asked to supply a list of ALTERNATE voice parts for their singers. This will help to balance the vocal sections for the 2 choirs and allow us to include all singers that are recommended as a result of the audition.

Audition materials and procedures for the 2025-26 school year can be found on the Choral Community page, located in the member section on the ECMEA website. The procedure will be the same as last year – students of the same voice part will receive an audition time and will sing for an adjudicator in groups of 3 where possible. The audition will consist of 1) singing ascending and descending major scales on numbers, solfege syllables, or a neutral syllable; and 2) singing a specified round supplied to the teacher and available on the website. Each of these singing tasks will first be sung by all 3 singers, then sung individually. Both parts of the audition will be sung unaccompanied; the music of the round will be provided. Sample materials and audition videos are available on the ECMEA website. Students will receive a numerical grade for the scales and individual rendition of the round, and a letter grade for the ensemble portion of the audition.

Teachers should submit only the names of those students whom they feel are qualified to participate in an auditioned All-County ensemble, and to represent their school and music program.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the audition process, please feel free to contact Ann Mosner ([email protected]) or a member of the Choral Committee Chairs: Erin Ayer and Heather Lovelace.

SENIOR HIGH CHORAL

Students are selected to Senior High All-County chorus by live vocal quartet audition at the designated date and site for that festival.

Teachers are to register the number of vocal quartet audition slots needed on ecmea.dacapomusicfestivals.com by the November 15 deadline. The Quartet Audition schedule will be emailed to teachers shortly after the Nov. 15th deadline. Teachers will return to the Dacapo website to complete the registration of individual students between Jan. 2 and Jan. 15. Only students registered by the January 15th deadline are eligible to audition. Teachers may not exceed the number of quartets which were requested for the November 15 deadline. Print out a Confirmation form and retain for your records.

Students will be asked to choose between being selected for All-County Chorus or Band/Orchestra at the audition room. All quartet students will be assigned a specific sight-reading audition room. We will again follow the 2023-24 sight reading procedure: Students will be assigned sight reading rooms by VOICEPART and the teacher/school will NOT be included on the form. They will be identified by REGISTRATION NUMBER.

All cancellations will be made through the Choral Coordinator, Ann Mosner and can be reported right up until the Festival Weekend. Reporting cancellations before February 1 will help ensure program accuracy.

ECMEA requires each member of a school’s vocal quartet to audition from a published edition of the audition/concert music for a student to be considered for selection into a Senior High All-County Ensemble. Students with illegally copied music (not published editions) will not be allowed to perform.

VOCAL JAZZ AUDITION GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY
Students in grades 10-12 are eligible to perform a jazz vocal solo audition.

SELECTION
Up to 24 students will be selected to perform in a Jazz Choir.

ALTERNATES
Alternates will be selected for each voice part.

AUDITION DATE
Jazz Vocal auditions take place at the Senior High Solo Festival.

AUDITION FORMAT
Solos must be chosen from the CURRENT NYSSMA Manual Edition #33 (Effective July 2022). Before the festival, teachers will be sent a link and be asked to upload the appropriate accompaniment tracks for their students. The judge will have access to these tracks and a Bluetooth speaker at the audition site.

Jazz Sight Reading is required. See NYSSMA Jazz Sight Reading Criteria in the NYSSMA Manual.

Students are required to improvise. The improvisation can be scat singing or embellishment of the words/rhythms/pitches or a combination of both. Students will be required to improvise the blues fron the ECMEA Backing Tracks. Eligible titles are listed in the NYSSMA Manual on page 9-15. The Adjudicator will select one 12 measure slow blues or one 24 measure fast blues from the list.

A second published edition of the solo is required by ECMEA for a student to be considered for selection into an all-county ensemble. If a student performs without a second published edition of the solo, the student will receive a rating but will not be eligible for selection into an All-County ensemble. Students with photo-copied music (not a published edition) will not be allowed to perform.

Instrumental Guidelines

INSTRUMENTAL RULES & GUIDELINES 2025-2026

PARTICIPATION

Instrumental students are selected to an all-county band or orchestra by attaining a score at a live audition at the designated date and site for that festival only. Please see the ECMEA Participation Policy at: https://www.ecmea.org/all-county/all-county-guidelines/

ALL WOODWIND, BRASS, STRINGS, PERCUSSION AND INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ AUDITIONS FOLLOW THESE RULES AND GUIDELINES. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, SPECIFIC TO PERCUSSION AND INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ AUDITIONS, CAN BE FOUND AT THE END OF THIS DOCUMENT.

REGISTRATION

All student instrumental auditions must be registered on https://ecmea.dacapomusicfestivals.com by November 15. No late registrations are permitted.

Registrations must be complete. All solo information – title, composer, and level, must be entered.

A student is limited to performing an audition on an instrument listed in the drop down menu on the https://ecmea.dacapomusicfestivals.com festival registration page. Instruments not appearing in the drop down menu may not register for an audition.

The audition solo must be chosen from the current NYSSMA Manual. Edition 34 (online manual effective July, 2025)

Students may play the same solo on two different instruments as long as the solo is listed on both instrument lists.

Any standard edition will be permitted unless the NYSSMA Manual listing specifically states which edition to use (i.e. Only IMC, no Suzuki, This ed. only, etc.)

Students are strongly encouraged to perform a different solo in each festival season.

Soloists preparing a multi movement work will prepare two contrasting movements unless the NYSSMA Manual listing specifically states which movements to perform. (i.e. All Mvts. 1 and 3, etc.)

Students registered for an all-county audition must play the instrument for which they are registered.

All brass, percussion, string, and woodwind solo auditions must be within the NYSSMA levels listed below for each student’s grade in school.

Grade in School NYSSMA Solo Level

Elementary 4-6 1-4

Junior High 7-9 1-5

Senior High 10-12 1-6

THE AUDITION

SCALES

All instruments (including strings & mallet percussion) will play only 1 octave major scales ascending and descending.

The adjudicator will ask the performer to play 3 scales from the requirements below.

Scale requirements:

(Level 1-2) – 3 major scales of the performer’s choice

(Level 3-4) – 7 major scales of the performer’s choice

(Level 5-6) – All 15 major scales are required

SOLO

“Solo” parts (not tutti sections) are required.

Instrumental music selections must be performed in the original published key. Transposition to other keys is not permitted.

Cadenzas, Divisis, Oasis and Recitatives are to be performed at the discretion of the soloist unless otherwise indicated in the Manual listing of the solo (ex, w/cadz, etc.)

All repeats, including Dacapos, should be prepared and will be performed at the discretion of the adjudicator.

Stylistically appropriate articulations and dynamics that are performed by the soloist must agree with the Adjudicator’s copy of the music.

Musically appropriate vibrato is an expectation for upper level (levels 4-6) instrumental solos (not Clarinet or French Horn) to enhance tone quality and musicality.

A second, published edition of the solo (judge’s copy) is required by ECMEA for a student to be considered for selection into an all-county ensemble. If a student performs without a second published edition of the solo, he/she will only receive a rating and will not be eligible for selection into an all-county ensemble.

Public Domain/IMSLP/CD printed music: See “Copyright Rule under the Rules and Regulations tab of the NYSSMA Manual 34. Be aware that some IMSLP music still has a copyright (thus is not in public domain) and will state so at the top of the page. If you have questions please contact the Festival Administrator.

Students with illegally copied music (not published editions) will not be allowed to perform.

Teachers, parents, and students are not allowed to switch students between audition rooms.

A student who is registered as “not auditioning for all-county ensemble” may not change their status to “auditioning for all-county ensemble” after that student has performed the audition.

Auditions are 10 minutes in length except Elementary timpani auditions, Junior and Senior High percussion auditions and all harp auditions which are 15 minutes long. Adjudicators may choose to hear excerpts of long solos.

Observers are allowed to hear only the scale and solo sections of the audition and are not allowed to interrupt or speak during the audition. Failure to observe this rule will disqualify the auditioning student.

Audio or video recording of any part of the audition is not allowed. Failure to observe this rule will disqualify the auditioning student.

When an adjudicator has his/her private student scheduled in his audition room, every attempt will be made to switch the private student into another audition room of the same instrument. This reassignment is at the discretion of the Festival Administrator or adjudicator, and not of the parent, teacher, or student.

SIGHT-READING

Sight-reading is required for all soloists performing for a rating. (excluding Senior High Instrumental Jazz)

An eight measure melody will be provided by the adjudicator at the Festival site.

Only the soloist, adjudicator and authorized ECMEA personnel may remain in the room during the sight-reading portion of the evaluation.

The tempo of the sight-reading will be established by the adjudicator.

The soloist will be given a minimum of one minute to study the sight-reading. Soloists may whistle, sing or silently finger the sight reading exercise during this time.

A nonstop rendition of the sight-reading is considered to be the goal of the sight-reading.

The sight-reading criteria for each instrument are found at the beginning of each solo section in the NYSSMA Manual.

Large print sight-reading can be made available for those who are visually impaired. To request large print sight-reading, teachers must contact the Festival Administrator one month prior to the audition date.

SCORING

SCALES: 0 correct = 0 points

1 correct = 2 points

2 correct = 4 points

3 correct = 5 points

SIGHT-READING: Perfect or near-perfect sight-reading 9-10 points

Obvious sight-reading ability 6-8 points

Some sight-reading ability 3-5 points

Little or no sight-reading ability 0-2 points

Students are selected to an all-county band and orchestra based on a weighted score according to the following table.

Level 6 add 17 points Level 3 add 6 points

Level 5 add 14 points Level 2 add 3 points

Level 4 add 10 points Level 1 add 0 points

When registering for an ECMEA all county audition, you are agreeing to accept the evaluation and score awarded by the assigned adjudicator. Any disagreement with the evaluation may be submitted to the Festival Administrator on the Adjudicator Evaluation Form.

Any issues not specifically mentioned in these regulations will follow the listed rules in the current NYSSMA Manual #34.

Percussion Guidelines

ECMEA’s Solo Audition goal is to select students for honor ensembles. These audition requirements put more weight on the solo and sight reading, and less weight on rudiments, scale variations, tuning and roll requirements. The Basic Proficiency category will equal 5 points, making this rubric similar to other instruments. 5 points were added to the Technique category for Snare and Mallets, and to the Accuracy category for Timpani, making them 20 points. This scoring matches the Woodwind, Brass and String rubric for Technique.

Snare Drum: The snare drum rudiments and long roll requirement will follow the Snare Drum Scoring System.
5 points total: 3 rudiments @ 1 point each; long roll @ 2 points)
The SPECIFIC Rudiments required of each level (1&2, 3&4, 5&6) are listed and described in the NYSSMA Manual.

Snare Drum Scoring System

5 points: All three rudiments and long roll correct.

4 points: Two rudiments and long roll correct, or three rudiments correct and long roll performed with some problems.

3 points: One rudiment and long roll correct, or two rudiments correct, and long roll performed with some problems.

2 points: Zero rudiments correct but long roll correct, or one rudiment correct, and the long roll performed with some problems

1 point: Zero rudiments correct, and long roll performed with some problems.

Mallet Percussion: Major Scales – One octave only ascending and descending: no arpeggio, no harmonic octave roll, and no playing in thirds will be required.
- Levels 1 & 2: any 3 major scales
- Levels 3 & 4: any 7 major scales
- Levels 5 & 6: all major scales

Mallet Percussion Scoring System
This scoring system is consistent with non-percussion instruments.

5 points: All three scales correct

4 points: Two scales correct

2 points: One scales correct

0 points: Zero scales correct

Timpani: 2 intervals tuned with 2 drums (one note on each drum), and the single stroke roll. The interval requirement by level is the same as indicated in the Timpani section of the NYSSMA Manual Edition XXXIII (pgs. 6-9 through 6-10).*
- The Single Stroke Roll will be performed without regard to tuning and will be performed on the drum(s) already used in the tuning requirement. This reduced requirement will simplify the complexity of the timpani audition, and will also help keep the audition within the scheduled time.
  - Levels 1-4 Single Stroke Roll – on one drum: will be performed on the large (28” or 29”) drum. Begin the roll piano, gradually crescendo to forte, maintain this level for approximately 10 seconds, gradually decrescendo to piano.
  - Levels 5-6 Single Stroke Roll – on two drums: the student will roll on the lower note of the interval and then repeat the procedure on the higher note. Begin the roll piano, gradually crescendo to forte, maintain this level for approximately 10 seconds, gradually decrescendo to piano. The roll must be performed on each drum.

Timpani Scoring System

5 points: two intervals and roll correct

4 points: one interval and roll correct, or two intervals correct and roll incorrect

2 points: zero intervals and roll correct, or one interval correct and roll incorrect

0 points: zero intervals correct and roll incorrect

*The “tuning” portion must be accomplished within the prescribed time limit of 30 seconds.

There will not be any element requiring glissando tuning or tuning for the single stroke roll.

Instrumental Jazz Guidelines

Jazz Audition Format

Jazz Auditions follow a 3 step format. Each jazz audition will consist of a performance of a NYSSMA graded solo from the current NYSSMA manual, a prepared excerpt and an improvisation (Drum Set – Style demonstration) component. See below for more information on the jazz requirements. Students in grade 7-9 are limited to a maximum of a level 5 solo.

***Students will be selected based on their score from their ECMEA All County Audition but seating may be rearranged based on student strengths to better outfit the ensemble.

Saxophone, Brass, Guitar, Piano, Vibes

Solo

Perform a jazz solo selected from the current NYSSMA Manual. Pre-recorded accompaniment is OPTIONAL and not required for Saxophone, Brass, Piano, Bass, Guitar and Vibraphone auditions.

***Excerpt – New this year for Senior High Instrumental Jazz Only (this will replace the sight-reading component)***

Senior High Instrumental Jazz Students will be asked to perform an excerpt from the ensemble music. This excerpt will be provided to the students and teachers on the ECMEA website by November 15th. This excerpt performance will replace the sightreading portion of the audition. The excerpt will be worth 10 points with the same subcategories as the sightreading subcategories on the audition score sheet.

Improvisation

Saxophone and Brass

Students are required to improvise. Students can choose either Blues in the keys of concert Bb or F, using the ECMEA Jazz Tracks available at https://www.ecmea.org/jazz-practice/. It is recommended, but not required, that students play a “head” before improvising. Suggested heads are provided along with the tracks at the link above. Improvisation backing tracks and sound system will be provided by the adjudicator. Students should improvise for a total of two choruses. The ECMEA Tracks are 3 choruses in length, allowing for 1 chorus of a head (optional) and 2 choruses of improvisation.

Piano

In addition to improvisation, pianists should be able to demonstrate the ability to “comp” on the blues chord progression.

Bass

In addition to improvisation, bass players should be able to demonstrate the ability to walk a bass line on the blues chord progression

Jazz Drum Set

Solo

Perform a jazz solo selected from the current NYSSMA Manual. Jazz Drum Set auditions are 15 minutes in length and must be performed with CD when indicated in the NYSSMA Manual. It will be marked (w/ CD) next to the title if accompaniment is required. Students are to provide their own CD at the audition. A CD player will be provided by the adjudicator.

Students in grade 7-9 are limited to a a maximum of a level 5 solo

Sight Reading

Sight-reading is required for all soloists performing for a rating.

An eight measure melody will be provided by the adjudicator at the Festival site.

The sight-reading criteria for each instrument are found at the beginning of each solo section in the NYSSMA Manual.

Improvisation/Style Demonstration

Students will be asked to perform 3 different styles as shown below:

Junior High Audition required styles

Rock/Funk ♩=100-120
Swing ♩=120-155
Bossa Nova ♩=96-120

Senior High Auditions

Rock/Funk ♩=100-120
Swing ♩=160-200
Samba 𝅗𝅥=80-112

The student will perform in the selected style for 32 bars total. This will consist of 4 bars of time followed by 4 bars of improvisation (repeat this format for a total of four times to equal 32 total bars)

Styles examples: These notated grooves are provided as suggested examples for each style. They are only suggested as possible grooves, but are not required to be performed exactly as written here. There are many variations of these styles and students should consult various resources to develop the exact way that they will perform within each style.

1. 16th note Rock

2. Medium Rock

3. Funk

4. Swing and Comping Examples

5. Bossa Nova ♩=96-120

6. Samba 𝅗𝅥=80-112

Instrumental Jazz Practice Audio

Jazz Tracks in Bb & F are available to on our Jazz Practice page for students & teachers to practice from for Instrumental Jazz auditions.

Vocal Jazz Guidelines

ELIGIBILITY

Students in grades 10-12 are eligible to perform a jazz vocal solo audition.

SELECTION

Up to 24 students will be selected to perform in a Jazz Choir.

ALTERNATES

Alternates will be selected for each voice part.

AUDITION DATE

Jazz Vocal auditions take place at the Senior High Solo Festival.

AUDITION FORMAT

Solos must be chosen from the CURRENT NYSSMA Manual Edition #33 (Effective July 2022). Students must provide their own CD for their solo in the published key.

Jazz Sight Reading is required. See NYSSMA Jazz Sight Reading Criteria in the NYSSMA Manual.

Students are required to improvise. The improvisation can be scat singing or embellishment of the words/rhythms/pitches or a combination of both. Students will be required to improvise the blues from Volume 2 – Nothin’ But Blues by Jamey Aebersold. Eligible titles are listed in the NYSSMA Manual on page 9-15. Adjudicator will select one 12 measure slow blues or one 24 measure fast blues from the list.

A second published edition of the solo is required by ECMEA for a student to be considered for selection into an all-county ensemble. If a student performs without a second published edition of the solo, he/she will receive a rating, but will not be eligible for selection into an all-county ensemble. Students with copied music (not a published edition) will not be allowed to perform.

Vocal Jazz Improvisation Requirements

Prepare to improvise the following selections from Volume 2 – Nothin But the Blues by Jamey Aebersold (the specified number of measures is given):

Track 2 Mr. Superhip 24 measures
Track 4 Slow Blues in F 12 measures
Track 5 Fast Blues in Bb 24 measures
Track 9 Slow Blues in G 12 measures
Track 10 Fast Blues in F 24 measures
Track 11 Minor Blues in C 24 measures

Perform one of the selections (adjudicator will choose).

The soloist will first be allowed to listen to 12 measures of the selection.

Teachers can find these tracks in the “Nothin’ but the Blues Vol. 2” Play-A-Long Book and CD Set. Published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz.