Admission into the Lamar University Cardinal Jazz Orchestra is determined via a relaxed audition process administered at the beginning of the Fall semester. All students who have experience or an interest in performing as part of a Jazz Band, regardless of major, are encouraged to schedule an audition.
Note: The auditions described on this page are only for placement in the Cardinal Jazz Orchestra. To audition for one of our concert bands, The Wind Ensemble or The Symphonic Band, please visit the Concert Bands Audition Page. Otherwise, to learn more about joining the Music Department as a Music Major or Music Minor, please visit www.lamar.edu/auditions.
Audition instructions vary by section. Please choose an instrument to view detailed information on how the audition process works, what to prepare, and what to expect.
Participation in the Lamar University Cardinal Jazz Orchestra is determined based upon a relaxed audition process. All saxophonists who have performance experience and are interested in being a part of Lamar University's premier big band jazz ensemble, regardless of major, are encouraged to schedule an audition.
Requirements and instructions for auditioning as a saxophone performer are located in the Saxophone Jazz Audition Packet. Please contact Dr. Banister if you have any questions on the instructions or any information contained within the audition packet.
Performers may audition with the saxophone upon which they feel the most comfortable: alto, tenor, or baritone. Regardless of saxophone type, all players will use the same audition packet and follow the same instructions.
Auditions will take place on Wednesday, August 21. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the large bulletin boards across from the Music Department office on the first floor of the Simmons Music Building by August 1. Saxophonists will have one audition time for both concert bands/studio as well as jazz.
Those students who may be interested in performing as a member of one of our concert bands (Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band) are encouraged to visit the Concert Bands Audition Page for additional information, instructions and faculty contact information. Auditioning for the concert band program is a separate process and will involve different performance excerpts. It also requires that students sign-up for an additional audition time.
Participation in the Lamar University Cardinal Jazz Orchestra is determined based upon a relaxed audition process. All trumpet players who have performance experience and are interested in being a part of Lamar University's premier big band jazz ensemble, regardless of major, are encouraged to schedule an audition.
Requirements and instructions for auditioning as a trumpet performer are located in the Trumpet Jazz Audition Packet. Please contact Dr. Broussard if you have any questions on the instructions or any information contained within the audition packet.
Auditions will take place on Wednesday, August 21. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the large bulletin boards across from the Music Department office on the first floor of the Simmons Music Building by August 1.
Those students who may be interested in performing as a member of one of our concert bands (Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band) are encouraged to visit the Concert Bands Audition Page for additional information, instructions and faculty contact information. Auditioning for the concert band program is a separate process and will involve different performance excerpts. It also requires that students sign-up for an additional audition time.
Participation in the Lamar University Cardinal Jazz Orchestra is determined based upon a relaxed audition process. All trombone players who have performance experience and are interested in being a part of Lamar University's premier big band jazz ensemble, regardless of major, are encouraged to schedule an audition.
Requirements and instructions for auditioning as a trombone performer are located in the Trombone Jazz Audition Packet. Please contact Dr. Dueppen if you have any questions on the instructions or any information contained within the audition packet.
Auditions will take place on Wednesday, August 21. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the large bulletin boards across from the Music Department office on the first floor of the Simmons Music Building by August 1.
Those students who may be interested in performing as a member of one of our concert bands (Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band) are encouraged to visit the Concert Bands Audition Page for additional information, instructions and faculty contact information. Auditioning for the concert band program is a separate process and will involve different performance excerpts. It also requires that students sign-up for an additional audition time.
Participation in the Lamar University Cardinal Jazz Orchestra is determined based upon a relaxed audition process. All bass trombone players who have performance experience and are interested in being a part of Lamar University's premier big band jazz ensemble, regardless of major, are encouraged to schedule an audition.
Requirements and instructions for auditioning as a bass trombone performer are located in the Bass Trombone Jazz Audition Packet. Please contact Dr. Dueppen if you have any questions on the instructions or any information contained within the audition packet.
Auditions will take place on Wednesday, August 21. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the large bulletin boards across from the Music Department office on the first floor of the Simmons Music Building by August 1.
Those students who may be interested in performing as a member of one of our concert bands (Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band) are encouraged to visit the Concert Bands Audition Page for additional information, instructions and faculty contact information. Auditioning for the concert band program is a separate process and will involve different performance excerpts. It also requires that students sign-up for an additional audition time.
Participation in the Lamar University Cardinal Jazz Orchestra is determined based upon a relaxed audition process. All piano players who have performance experience and are interested in being a part of Lamar University's premier big band jazz ensemble, regardless of major, are encouraged to audition.
Requirements and instructions for auditioning for the rhythm section as a pianist are located in the Piano Jazz Audition Packet. Please contact Dr. Banister if you have any questions on the instructions or any information contained within the audition packet.
Auditions for PIANO (as well as other rhythm section instruments) will be held on Friday, August 23, at 11:30 AM in the Music Building Band Hall (room 128). Everyone should arrive by 11:30 AM and expect to remain for one hour. Sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board across from the Music Department Office.
Participation in the Lamar University Cardinal Jazz Orchestra is determined based upon a relaxed audition process. All bassists who have performance experience and are interested in being a part of Lamar University's premier big band jazz ensemble, regardless of major, are encouraged to audition.
Requirements and instructions for auditioning for the rhythm section as a bassist are located in the Bass Jazz Audition Packet. Please contact Dr. Banister if you have any questions on the instructions or any information contained within the audition packet.
Auditions for BASS (as well as other rhythm section instruments) will be held on Friday, August 23, at 11:30 AM in the Music Building Band Hall (room 128). Everyone should arrive by 11:30 AM and expect to remain for one hour. Sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board across from the Music Department Office.
Participation in the Lamar University Cardinal Jazz Orchestra is determined based upon a relaxed audition process. All guitarists who have performance experience and are interested in being a part of Lamar University's premier big band jazz ensemble, regardless of major, are encouraged to audition.
Requirements and instructions for auditioning for the rhythm section as a guitarist are located in the Guitar Jazz Audition Packet. Please contact Dr. Banister if you have any questions on the instructions or any information contained within the audition packet.
Auditions for GUITAR (as well as other rhythm section instruments) will be held on Friday, August 23, at 11:30 AM in the Music Building Band Hall (room 128). Everyone should arrive by 11:30 AM and expect to remain for one hour. Sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board across from the Music Department Office.
Participation in the Lamar University Cardinal Jazz Orchestra is determined based upon a relaxed audition process. All drum set players who have performance experience and are interested in being a part of Lamar University's premier big band jazz ensemble, regardless of major, are encouraged to audition.
Requirements and instructions for auditioning for the rhythm section as a drum set player are located in the Drum Set Jazz Audition Packet. Please contact Dr. Banister if you have any questions on the instructions or any information contained within the audition packet.
Auditions for DRUM SET (as well as other rhythm section instruments) will be held on Friday, August 23, at 11:30 AM in the Music Building Band Hall (room 128). Everyone should arrive by 11:30 AM and expect to remain for one hour. Sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board across from the Music Department Office.
Auditions for saxophones, trumpets, and trombones will take place during the afternoon on Wednesday, August 21 in the Music Building. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the large bulletin boards across from the Music Department office on the first floor of the Simmons Music Building by August 1.
Auditions for rhythm section (piano, bass, guitar and drums) will take place at 11:30 AM on Friday, August 23 in the Music Building Band Hall, room 128. There will be no sign-ups for rhythm section auditions; everyone should arrive at the same time.
Results will be posted in the music building and distributed via email after auditions have concluded.
The first rehearsal date/time will be announced via email. Please review the course schedule for regular ensemble rehearsal times.
The audition process is coordinated and facilitated by Dr. McMahan. All questions, as well as inquiries regarding the use of school instruments, etc. should be sent to him via email. Correspondence will then be routed to the appropriate person(s), if necessary.
For questions specific to the Cardinal Jazz Orchestra, please contact Dr. Banister via email.
There are no requirements with regard to attire during auditions. However, presenting a good image of yourself does have a positive impact upon the person hearing your audition. Our advice would be to go the middle route: clean casual or business casual with good personal grooming and hygiene.
Students participating in the Lamar University performing ensembles receive one unit of academic credit each semester. Once audition results have been announced, members will be provided instructions regarding how to enroll for the appropriate course.
Generally speaking, the best advice is to “be yourself” and “be prepared”. Although very simple and straightforward, if you can manage to fulfill both those ideals, you will have a wonderful audition.
Eric Hoover, Past President of the National Flute Association, also provided some general advice that would benefit anyone performing an audition (from middle school to the professional level.)