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Auditions

Berkeley High Jazz Auditions for 2025-26

Signing up to audition is a 3-step process. 

Step 1

Review all of the information below and read our BHS Jazz Required Reading + FAQs (PDF).

Step 2

Complete the Auditions Registration form in BHS Jazz Connect (our new registration system). You will need to:

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  • Enter contact, demographic, and instrument information

  • Create a login and password to BHS Jazz Connect

    • NEW students to BHS Jazz: REGISTER HERE

    • RETURNING students in BHS Jazz: Look for an email asking you to confirm your contact info and create a login and password. If you can’t find it, you can access your pre-established account HERE. Your login is your email and your password is in this format: FirstnameLastname1. (We encourage you to reset your password.)

  • Ask at least one of your parents or guardians to register in BHS Jazz Connect. (New parents go HERE. Returning parents should have received an email.)​

Step 3

Once you have completed the registration in BHS Jazz Connect, you will receive an email with links to reserve an audition slot using SignUp Genius (separate from BHS Jazz Connect). Be sure to choose the link for the scheduling form for the instrument on which you want to audition. The audition days are listed below.
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Please follow these instructions carefully:
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  • Choose your audition slot carefully; we cannot accommodate changes. If your preferred slot is unavailable, you must select from the remaining options. If all slots for your instrument are full, email berkeleyhighjazz@gmail.com immediately.

  • If you are auditioning on 2 different instruments (e.g., drums and trumpet), sign up for separate time slots. However, if auditioning on 2 woodwinds (e.g., bari and flute), sign up for a single woodwinds slot.

  • What happens AFTER the auditions? If you are NOT placed in a band for next year, we will notify you before the end of this school year. If you are placed in any BHS Jazz band (Lab I, Lab II, or Ensemble), you will get your placement when you receive your class schedule in August.

Finally ...

The audition process is organized by parent volunteers. Do not contact the directors, Sarah Cline or Roberto Figueroa, with questions or requests. Check our BHS Jazz Required Reading + FAQs first. If you still have questions, email berkeleyhighjazz@gmail.com. We’ll respond within 24 hours.

Best of luck to each of you!
 
Berkeley High Jazz Association

Audition info: 2025-26

We are so excited about your interest in BHS Jazz! Here are the current details you need to know.

Who needs to audition?

  1. All current BHS Jazz students need to audition.

  2. All rhythm section students, whether current BHS or incoming students, need to audition.

  3. Any incoming student who is interested in joining a more advanced band than Lab I needs to either audition or have their middle school jazz band teacher write a recommendation. (Note: This is unusual for freshmen.) 

Who does not need to audition?

Incoming freshmen who play melody instruments — that is, sax, trumpet, trombone, flute, and violin — DO NOT NEED to audition. 

When will auditions occur?

  • Rhythm, including incoming guitars
    Monday, April 28, 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
     

  • Woodwinds/Strings (ALL returning students)
    Tuesday, April 29, 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
     

  • Guitars (returning students) and selected Brass (by arrangement only)
    Wednesday, April 30, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
     

  • Brass (ALL returning students)
    Friday, May 2, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

When can I sign up for an audition?

Sign-ups for auditions open Friday, March 28, 2025.

  • I already signed up for my BHS classes but have not yet auditioned, what do I do?
    Incoming freshmen: If you choose Jazz as an elective, you’ll be considered for a jazz band. We will try to fit in as many incoming horn players as we can, based on middle teacher recommendations. Those who we cannot fit in this year are welcome to audition as sophomores. If you are given a slot, you’ll be placed in the Freshman Jazz Band automatically. (If you have auditioned, or been recommended by your middle school music teacher, you may be placed in one of the more advanced bands, although this is unusual for freshmen.) If you don’t get a slot in Jazz, you’ll be placed in your second or third-choice elective. Exceptions: Rhythm section freshmen or those aiming for an advanced Jazz band must audition.
  • How many Jazz classes are available at Berkeley High?
    Jazz Lab I: Designed for incoming freshmen and upperclassmen new to BHS Jazz (most with middle school jazz experience). Includes a jazz history component. Fewer off-campus performance opportunities. Rhythm section students must audition; all other players are placed based on teacher recommendation. Jazz Lab II (3 Sections): Mixture of sophomores, juniors, seniors, and occasional freshmen. No hierarchy among the three sections. Rhythm section students must audition; all other players are placed based on teacher recommendation. Jazz Ensemble: Reserved for the strongest and most committed musicians. Typically juniors and seniors (though exceptions are made). Entry is by audition only.

​We’re excited for another incredible year of BHS Jazz and look forward to seeing your talent shine! 

 

If you have any questions, please email berkeleyhighjazz@gmail.com.

Come play with us

Berkeley High School currently has five jazz bands, plus numerous small combos. We play concerts at BHS, in the community—and even in Cuba! We welcome dedicated students of all ages to audition for our bands.

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