WHAT TO PREPARE

• Singers All singing vocalists should have one popular song prepared to sing, accompanied by a backing track or live/solo accompaniment. Choose a song that shows off your best skills as well as your stylistic tastes. Because singers in these groups must know how to work with a live band, acapella auditions will not be accepted.
• Instrumentalists and DJs: All instrumentalists and DJs should learn the following two songs for the audition:
• “Ain’t No Love” by Jay-Z (MTV Unplugged)
• “Cut Chemist Suite” by Ozomatli

Instrumentalists should learn their parts as played on the recordings. If their instrument isn’t on the recording, they should contribute by approximating some musical aspect of the recorded arrangement (sax might play the flute part from “Ain’t No Love,” e.g.). In addition to the two prepared songs, one or more short chord progressions will be taught to instrumentalists by ear in the audition, and instrumentalists will play them back with an assigned groove/style. If you are unable to learn one or both of the assigned songs above, we still want to hear you audition, so please come and at least participate in this ear-learning activity.

• MCs: MCs should rap at least the first verse from “Ain’t No Love” (see link above). In addition, MCs should prepare at least one 16-bar verse, or two 8-bar verses, of their own creation that it’s possible to perform over one of the songs the instrumentalists must prepare (see above).

POPULAR MUSIC FAQs

Q: I don’t freestyle/improvise/harmonize/I’ve never played in a band before, should I still audition?
A: Yes! These auditions are just to see where you are at right now.

Q: I don’t like hip hop but I like metal/indie/R&B/ska can I audition?
A: Yes! This audition is for several popular music ensembles. One group does focus on mainly hip hop, and the others are created based on the styles and personalities of other musicians that audition. The more people that audition and want to play a certain style, the more likely we are to be able to put that kind of band together.

QUESTIONS

Instructor Sean Peterson at peterso9@uoregon.edu