Jazz Ensembles

The Department of Music offers a variety of jazz courses for UCI students. All UCI students may audition for our Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combo performance classes, which present quarterly public concerts. Below are details on those ensembles and other jazz-related classes.

Jazz Orchestra: MUSIC 178

The UCI Jazz Orchestra is dedicated to performing a wide range of big band repertoire, from classic works of the early and mid-20th century to more contemporary sounds. Emphasis is primarily on developing a cohesive ensemble sound, and learning to understand and interpret diverse large ensemble jazz repertoire from different eras. The orchestra is open to all UCI students by audition, and we especially encourage trumpet and trombone players to audition! The ensembles is comprised of both music majors and non-music majors, and is a 2-unit class, offered every quarter. Students must be enrolled in the course to participate, and the class requires a commitment to a weekly 3-hour rehearsal, several hours per week of individual practice and other work outside of class, and participation in a quarterly concert.

Auditions for Jazz Orchestra take place in fall during Welcome Week (i.e. prior to the first day of classes), and auditions are also held as needed at the start of winter or spring quarters. For audition details and the signup sheet, please see the Music Department's Welcome Week Schedule which will be made available by mid-August of each year. For further questions about Jazz Orchestra, please contact the UCI Jazz Orchestra Director.

Jazz Small Groups (Combos): MUSIC 176/182

The UCI Jazz Small Groups (i.e. "combos") are typically comprised of four to eight members. All UCI students may audition, and the combos are aimed at students with prior experience in jazz improvisation. Taught by a world-renowned jazz faculty, several jazz combo classes are offered every quarter. Each instructor focuses on different repertoire and approaches, offering students who take the combo courses over time the opportunity to gain diverse perspectives on jazz improvisation. Students must be enrolled in the course to participate, and the class requires a commitment to a weekly 2-hour rehearsal, several hours per week of individual practice and other work outside of class, and participation in a quarterly concert.

Combo auditions are held quarterly via the Jazz Combos Application Form that all students must submit, which includes a video-based audition for those who have not participated in a recent combos class. All students wishing to enroll in a combo course must submit the form each quarter, regardless of major. You must submit this form by the beginning of week 9 in the quarter prior to the quarter in which you are applying to enroll. We will email the audition results as soon as possible, and at the latest in week 1, prior to the first combo class meetings. For questions about combo auditions, please contact Professor Michael Dessen.