Junior High Jazz Honor Band

Antonio J. García is a performer, composer/arranger, producer, clinician, educator, and author in both instrumental and vocal genres and a 2023 recipient of The Midwest Clinic’s Medal of Honor. A Professor Emeritus and the former Director of Jazz Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, his newest book, Jazz Improvisation: Practical Approaches to Grading (Meredith Music), explores avenues for creating structures that correspond to course objectives. His Cutting the Changes: Jazz Improvisation via Key Centers (Kjos Music) offers musicians of all ages the opportunity to improvise over standard tunes using just their major scales.

He has performed as trombonist, bass trombonist, or pianist with 70 major artists including Ella Fitzgerald, George Shearing, Mel Tormé, Billy Eckstine, Doc Severinsen, Louie Bellson, Dave Brubeck, and Phil Collins. A Conn Selmer clinician/soloist and avid scat-singer, he is Past Associate Jazz Editor for the International Trombone Association Journal, Past Editor of the International Association for Jazz Education Jazz Education Journal, Past President of IAJE-IL, Board Secretary of The Midwest Clinic, Past Advisory Board Member of the Brubeck Institute, is Co-Editor/Contributing Author of Teaching Jazz: A Course of Study, and authored a chapter within Rehearsing The Jazz Band and The Jazzer’s Cookbook. He is the only individual to have directed all three genres of Illinois All-State jazz ensembles: combo, vocal jazz choir, and big band (plus All-County and community concert bands and orchestras). He served as a Network Expert (for Improvisation Materials) for the Jazz Education Network. His articles have been widely published; and his compositions have been published by Kjos, Hal Leonard, Kendor, Doug Beach, ejazzlines, Walrus, UNC Jazz Press, Three-Two Music, Potenza Music, and his own company. García is also the subject of an extensive interview within Bonanza: Insights and Wisdom from Professional Jazz Trombonists (Advance Music). He currently resides in his native New Orleans.

Audition Registration

Eligibility:

6th-9th grade
- 9th graders must choose between Junior High and Senior High (only one audition will be allowed)
Director or Music Teacher is an active member of DBDA.
Students must commit to attending all rehearsals and performances during the Jazz Honor Band Weekend. Missing a portion of the rehearsals can result in disqualification or removal from the performance.
Completion of the audition registration form and payment.

Registration Form: Junior High Jazz Honor Band Auditions - Google Form

Due by midnight on January 9th, 2026. No exceptions.

Audition Fee: $7.00 per student per instrument - Card, Cash App, or Apple Pay are payment options.

Payment is due by the audition date unless you have arranged with the director for them to pay it beforehand.

Make all checks out to DBDA.

Audition Date & Schedule

Date: Saturday, January 31st, 2026

Location: Riverdale High School (240 Riverdale Dr, Jefferson, LA 70121)

Room: Band Room, by back parking lot on South Dr.

2025-2026 Junior High Jazz Audition Schedule - NEW!

Audition Process: We utilize a "blind" audition process* to ensure fairness, meaning judges will hear the student's performance without seeing or knowing their identity. Students will be assigned an audition number upon arrival. No names will be used with the judge. Students will perform the required scales and etudes with judges focusing solely on tone quality, intonation, rhythm, technique, and musicality. Using a rubric ensures selection is based purely on musical merit and preparation.

*Vocal auditions are not blind.

Audition Materials

Set 3 - One Round of Auditions

Junior High Honor Jazz Band instructions and audition music (This is all of the music and audio files)

All audition music is available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pkXf-YqFm2fvdNMfR4hSMjrxhQlPNNas

*NOTE: This audition must be done with the audio backing tracks.

Must play: scales, both prepared pieces (etudes), and sight reading.
Etudes will be performed with the accompaniment track (can be found in the linked folder above), so make sure students are practicing with those

Audition Information - Everyone

Drum Set Audition

Drum Set Audition Backing Tracks:

Vocal Audition

Scale Sheets (Alto, Tenor, Bari, Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar, String Bass, Piano)

Prepared Piece #1 - All instruments

Prepared Piece #2 - All instruments

Suggested Listening

for those wishing to audition for the vocal audition

SUGGESTED AUDIO LISTENING LIST:

Here is a list of some suggested listening for the District VI Junior High Honor Jazz Band vocal audition. NOTE: These vocal examples may not be the exact same arrangements as you will be using to audition. The vocalists in the provided audio examples may be singing in a different key than the provided audition music. These audio suggestions are to be used to pick up style, phrasing and other musical traits. These are all good examples of the type of sound you should be striving for. In no way is this a complete list. Go do a search and find your favorite recording of each of these songs.

Summertime:

Ella Fitzgerald: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZRgiuAXRAs

Billie Holiday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THflqYOqm3A

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HJCN3upMHE

Norah Jones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJOtaWyEzaI

Diana Krall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uu_q4XT2tE

Frank Sinatra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltZNpxbjQyM

Sarah Vaughn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVNiubIXHf4

Body and Soul:

Ella Fitzgerald: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mfa29V0h8Y

Diana Krall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC2MN9vyjmg

Billie Holiday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibo-f3Q-yJQ

Sarah Vaughn and Clifford Brown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuo1aju4JnY

Tony Bennett with Lady Gaga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OFMkCeP6ok

Tony Bennett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ls9rNtD_Ms

Frank Sinatra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QplAkBysk-4

Audition Results & Final Registration

Audition Results will be posted here by the end of the day after auditions.

Final Registration will be posted after audition results are out.

Performance Fee: $20.00 (includes an Honor Band T-Shirt) - payable with Cash, Check, Card, or Apple Pay

Payment is due by the first rehearsal of Jazz Honor Band Weekend.

Clinic/Sectional Rehearsal

There is NO SECTIONAL REHEARSAL this year (2025-26).

The Clinic/Sectional Rehearsal is optional, but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. This rehearsal offers a valuable opportunity to refine individual parts and connect with fellow musicians, ensuring everyone feels confident and prepared for the Jazz Honor Band Weekend rehearsals.

Date: TBD

Location: TBD

Time: TBD

Jazz Honor Band Weekend Details

Friday, March 20th - Sunday, March 22nd

Riverdale High School (240 Riverdale Dr, Jefferson, LA 70121) - Rehearsals

New Orleans Jazz Museum (400 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116) - Performance

Weekend Schedule - coming soon!

Friday - Rehearsals (Riverdale HS, by back parking lot on South Dr.)

Saturday - Rehearsals (Riverdale HS, by back parking lot on South Dr.)

Sunday - Performance (New Orleans Jazz Museum)

Concert Pieces & Recordings - coming soon!

All students must have their own:

Music
Pencil
Instrument (including reeds, valve oil, mallets, sticks, etc.)

Rehearsal Notes:

Cell phones are not allowed during rehearsals. Please keep them out of sight until breaks.

Lunch Notes: - coming soon!

Concert Attire:

"Sunday Best" or Semi-formal attire
- Appropriate tops
- Slacks or modest skirts/dresses
Please NO jeans, shorts, t-shirts, logos, tennis shoes, etc.
Note: We want to ensure a professional and respectful appearance for all performances. Please be aware that audience members in the front rows may have an upward viewing angle. Therefore, if your concert attire includes a skirt or dress that is above the knee, you must wear opaque tights underneath to maintain appropriate modesty. Your attention to this detail is greatly appreciated.

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