The Jazz Studies Area in the Department of Music at the University of Arkansas will host two days of auditions for placement into jazz ensembles on campus. All ensembles in the department are open to registered students at the U of A, some require auditions. 

The Jazz Placement Auditions are:

• 2-4 p.m. today, Tuesday, Aug. 27, in the Epley Band Building
• 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, in the Center Street Annex near the Harmon Parking Garage.

Students should visit jazz.uark.edu to learn about each ensemble and to find audition specifics for each area. Students should fill out their placement preference form (available on the website) to the audition.

The Jazz Area at the University of Arkansas is quite unique in its incorporation of standard jazz ensembles and ones that share a focus on improvisation but are influenced by popular and world music examples. From the UA Jazz Orchestra to the Arkansas Soul Band students can use their skills in the rhythm section (drums, guitar, keyboard, bass), horns, or even voice. The World Music Ensemble and Latin American Ensemble welcome instrumentalists and vocalists to explore sounds of music from around the world through improvisation and culturally learning. 

The Jazz Area is thriving through a new Jazz Studies concentration in the Bachelor of Music degree, but students of any major can take classes and participate in ensembles related to the genre. If you have further questions, please contact professor Jake Hertzog.