Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for BHS Jazz for the 2026-27 school year!

 

Who needs to audition:

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• All current BHS Jazz students need to audition in person.

• Incoming rhythm section students need to audition in person.

• Incoming brass and woodwind section students need to submit an audio recording for their audition by March 22, but will not audition in person.

• Any incoming student who is interested in joining a more advanced band than Lab I needs to audition. (Note: This placement is unusual for freshmen.) 

 

The deadline to sign up for an audition slot is Sunday, March 22, 2026, but we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. For incoming brass and woodwind players, this is also the deadline to submit your recorded audition.

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Auditions for 2026-27 BHS Jazz Bands will be held on:

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Sunday, March 22, by Midnight: Deadline for incoming brass and woodwind players to submit audio audition recordings. No in-person auditions will be held for these two groups.

Monday, March 23, 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Woodwinds Auditions–ALL returning students
Tuesday, March 24, 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Rhythm Auditions–Drums, Bass, Piano, Guitar, Violin, and Vibes–ALL returning AND incoming students

Wednesday, March 25, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Brass Auditions–ALL returning students

 

Here are the steps to audition for BHS Jazz for 2026-2027:

 

1. Read this entire page to determine how you need to audition and how to sign up.

 

2. Complete the Auditions sign-up form in BHS JazzConnect. If you don’t already have an account in the system, you will need to create one here (returning students should all have an account already); then link again to the Auditions sign-up form. Check your email for your confirmation message and mark your calendar for your audition slot. (If you are an incoming student, your parent/s are also invited to create their own accounts in BHS JazzConnect using this link.)

 

3A. If you are auditioning in person (all rhythm, and returning brass and woodwinds), sign up for an audition slot when the system prompts you to, after designating whether you are rhythm, brass, or woodwind (so that the system takes you to the right auditions date). Once you have signed up for an audition slot (but not before), you will receive links to the actual audition materials.

 

3B. If you are auditioning via audio recording (incoming brass and woodwinds only), you do not need to sign up for an audition slot. However, you do need to create an account in BHS JazzConnect and check the box for submitting a recorded audition, after which you will receive a link to the audition materials. Instructions for preparing and uploading your recorded audition files are in the Required Reading document, which you will access after creating your account.

After auditions, you will be informed of your band placement when you receive your class schedule the week before school starts in August (some exceptions apply).

 

Your audition will be adjudicated by BHS Jazz Co-directors Ms. Cline and Mr. Figueroa along with a friendly local professional musician who plays your instrument (or a closely related one). On most instruments, you’ll start out playing scales, then move on to a prepared piece/excerpt, then sight-reading, and finally soloing. On drums and percussion, you’ll start out playing grooves, then a prepared piece/excerpt, sight-reading, and soloing. Your audition will take from 9 to 12 minutes for brass/woodwinds and around 15 minutes for rhythm.

Auditions can be nerve-racking—it’s important to remember that the auditors want you to play your best!

 

Take a few deep breaths and have confidence in yourself.  If you’ve practiced thoroughly, your skill and creativity will shine through—EVEN IF YOU MAKE SOME MISTAKES!

 

Once you read the required reading document and go through the steps above, if you still have questions, please reach out to berkeleyhighjazz@gmail.com. Do not reach out to Ms. Cline or Mr. Figueroa. Good luck and have fun!