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 offers two jazz bands, and combos for students to participate in.
Groups
The Jazz Ensemble 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 Jazz Lab is SAU’s jazz ensemble focused on honing students’ skills in improvisation, sight-reading, and introductory jazz theory, all within a big band setting.
The Jazz Combos allow students at SAU to gain experience in the modern jazz setting. These smaller groups create professional experiences in our community with performances at jam sessions, galas, dinners, and other events.
Jazz Audition Guidelines
Jazz Auditions take place at the beginning of the year. 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.
