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Wheaton College Jazz Ensemble

Wheaton College Jazz Ensemble

Jazz Ensemble

Jazz at Wheaton offers a wide variety of performance opportunities to give you practical musical training grounded in the authentic articulation of the jazz language.

The Jazz Ensemble rehearses on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. in Edman 102. Combo rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings.

Performing Groups

  • Wheaton Jazz Ensemble (big band, approx 18 members)
  • Showcase and Green Mill Combos (5-7 members each)

Instrumentation

All instruments and skill levels are welcome to audition for the Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Combos. Placements will be based on the audition, the ensembles’ needs, and students’ schedules. Students with questions can email Dr. Crystal Rebone at crystal.rebone@wheaton.edu.

Jazz Performances at Wheaton

Jazz Ensemble/Jazz Combo Concert

Friday, November 15, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall             

Jazz Ensemble/Jazz Combo Concert

Friday, March 21, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall         

Purchase Tickets to All Performances  

Jazz Ensemble Trombone b&W

Program Highlights

  • Clinics with visiting jazz musicians

    Past clinicians include saxophonists John Wojciechowski, Jarrard Harris, and Artie Black, Dr. Ron Carter, trumpeter Marquis Hill, saxophonist Caroline Davis, trumpeter Victor Garcia, drummer Joel Spencer, and many more!

  • Performances with touring jazz musicians

    Guest artists have included Dana Hall, Mike Lee & New Tricks, John Raymond Trio, and the Luke Gillespie Trio.

  • Trips to hear world-class jazz in Chicago

    Jazz outings include trips to the Chicago Jazz Festival, The Jazz Showcase and Symphony Center Jazz concerts.

  • Recording experience

    Combos record annually in spaces such as Wheaton's studios and the Chicago Recording Company.

  • Collaborative workshops with other Chicago-area jazz ensembles

  • Additional performances at The Stupe and at Chapel

Audition Requirements

Vocalists Auditions

1. Sing “Fly Me to The Moon” in any key that is most comfortable.
2. Sing any song, around 2 minutes, that best demonstrates your abilities.

A Bluetooth speaker will be available if you want a backing track.

Instrumental Auditions

1. Prepare measures 1 to 33 of the big band arrangement of “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To”. This will be played with the recording via Bluetooth speaker.
2. Play one song of your choice in the jazz style that best showcases your abilities.
3. Improvise over 2 choruses of a Bb Blues.

Drums

Prepare the following grooves:

  • Swing
  • Bossa
  • Rock

Audition Music By Instrument

Alto Saxophone

Baritone Saxophone

Tenor Saxophone

Bass

Clarinet

Flute

Guitar

Horn in F

Piano

Trombone

Trumpet

Tuba

Vocal

Viola

Violin

Violoncello

Note: Students do NOT need to be a music major to audition and do not need to re-audition once they have been accepted into the ensemble. Returning members must register for Jazz before Aug 25. 

Jazz Ensemble Clips

Benny Carter - Central City Sketches

Benny Carter - Sky Dance

Private Study

Develop your sound and improvisational method through one-on-one study with our outstanding roster of private teachers. To enroll in private study, visit the Conservatory office in the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts and send an email to your instructor of choice: