CURRICULUM

Basketball Bands

The University of Illinois at Springfield employs two athletic pep bands which perform at all home conference basketball games. Students, community members, faculty and staff are all invited to audition for the "Basketball Pep Band" and the "Basketball Jazz Combo."

The Basketball Pep Band is a traditional collegiate pep band comprised of brass, woodwind, percussion (drum set) and electronic instruments (guitar, bass, keyboard, etc.), and this ensemble will perform at Men's Basketball games. The Basketball Jazz Combo is a 6 member jazz combo - 3 member rhythm section and 3 "horns" (any woodwind or brass), and this combo will perform at Women's Basketball games. Spirited musicians are invited to audition for both bands, and all instruments are welcome! Members of the Women's Band are expected to demonstrate significant competence both reading written charts AND creative improvisation.

20 paid positions are available in the Basketball Pep Band, but all qualified musicians will be invited to perform with the band. Musicians earning paid positions will be expected to be in attendance at all basketball games. Musicians invited to play with the band but not as a paid musician will remain competitive for paid positions should they become available.

Pay scale is as follows:

Basketball Pep Band - minimum wage, amounting to approximately $19.00-$21.00 per game. (20 paid positions)
Basketball Jazz Combo - flat rate $75.00 per game. (6 paid positions)

Rehearsals for each band will be held as needed and scheduled around member's availabilities. Members auditioning for paid positions with either band should be available the following dates:

First Performances (both bands):

Monday, September 29, 2008 - Homecoming Bonfire, 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 2, 2008 – Student vs. Faculty Basketball Game, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 4, 2008 – UIS Band Day, TBA

Women's Basketball Jazz Combo (2009):

Saturday, January 10, 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 17, 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 22, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 24, 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 5, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 12, 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 24, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 26, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 28, 2:00 p.m.

Men's Basketball Pep Band (2009):

Saturday, January 10, 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 17, 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 22, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 24, 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 27, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 5, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 17, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 26, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 28, 4:00 p.m.

2008-2009 Audition Requirements and Repertoire:

Auditions for both ensembles will include the following three items. The Basketball Jazz Combo will have an additional fourth requirement outlined below.

C, Bb, and Ab CONCERT scales
Prepared excerpt (below)
Sight reading
Jazz Combo Only: Perform the melody and improvise with a recorded accompaniment to the tune “Billy’s Bounce” in the key of F (available for download here as a .pdf)

Audition Dates:

Monday, September 15, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 16, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

ALL AUDITIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN VPA 33!

To schedule and audition:

Call (217) 206-8405 during regular business hours to schedule an audition. Direct any other questions to Todd Cranson at (217) 206-7549 or e-mail rcran2@uis.edu.

Prepared Excerpts (click instrument to download and print a .pdf):

ALL INSTRUMENTS: If you are interested in auditioning for the Basketball Jazz Combo which performs at Women's games, be prepared to perform this lead sheet in addition to the music listed above for your instrument!

Musicians interested in auditioning on instruments not listed here should contact Todd Cranson at rcran2@uis.edu for more information

Interested in getting involved?

Direct your inquiry to Todd Cranson at (217) 206-7549 or e-mail rcran2@uis.edu.

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