Jazz Program
About SAU Jazz
Southern Arkansas University is quickly becoming THE place for jazz in the four-states region. Home to the annual Southern Arkansas Jazz Festival, SAU Bands houses its jazz ensemble, the SAU Big Band.
The SAU Big Band is Southern Arkansas University’s premier jazz group, performing multiple concerts both in Magnolia and surrounding regions throughout the year. The group is comprised of students from Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, all with a variety of majors.
The Director of Jazz is Jason Smith.
Jazz Audition Guidelines
Jazz Auditions take place at the beginning of the Fall semester. This audition includes performing a short etude, an optional solo, major and chromatic scales, and rhythm sections. You may email the Jazz Director about suitable repertoire.
Jazz Students interested in auditioning for a band scholarship see standard band scholarship guidelines. Non-percussion rhythm section students may contact a director for audition requirements.
