EIU Department of Music

EIU Honor Jazz Combo Day

Monday, November 11, 2024

On Monday, November 11^th, EIU will host its annual Honor Jazz Combo Day. We will select talented high school students from across the state to participate in this special event. The day will include rehearsals, lessons, and opportunities to play and perform with other participants. We can accommodate at least two students on each of the following instruments: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, and drums. Other instrumentalists are also welcome to apply.

Application Procedure

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply by completing this registration form by October 18, 2024. Applications should include two recordings.

• The first recording should demonstrate command of your instrument and of jazz style by performing a jazz etude or solo transcription. (Examples include a selection from Jim Snidero’s Jazz Conception or the Charlie Parker Omnibook.)
• The second recording should demonstrate your ability to improvise over a blues or standard chord progression. You can include an excerpt from a live performance or a recording with a play-along track.  (Bassists should include at least 12 bars of a walking bass line.)
• Drummers should also include a recording of themselves playing 8 bars of each of the following styles: medium swing, fast swing, jazz waltz, bossa nova, samba, and funk.

When we complete the selection process, we will notify directors and students of the results and send further details to the students selected. For more information, please contact Professor Paul Johnston at prjohnston@eiu.edu.