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Semester fees.

If offered a position in the Spectra program, fees are paid per semester in February and again in July. The fee per semester is $300. The membership fee will provide you with:

• 8 rehearsals/workshops per school term with award winning conductor, Ellen Kirkwood.
• Workshops with national and international musicians. Spectra have previously worked with Shannon Barnett (AUS/DE), Camille Thurman (USA), Ingrid Jensen (USA) and Christine Jensen (CAN).
• Professional performance opportunities at Sydney jazz clubs including Foundry616.
• The opportunity to learn about improvisation and large ensemble playing in a supportive and encouraging environment.
• Direct interaction with the composers and arrangers of the music you will be playing and performing.

Subsidies for financial hardship

At the discretion of the course director, a small number of subsidies are offered for families who are experiencing financial hardship. Please contact us to discuss.

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Key dates
for 2022.

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Skills and
attributes.

All applicants must be able to sight-read music. Previous experience playing in stage bands/big bands is not a prerequisite but will be looked upon favorably. Applicants should have an interest in developing knowledge and skill in jazz improvisation and large ensemble playing, as well as an interest in studying or developing a career in music.

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Audition
requirements.

Horns/Piano/Guitar/Bass

Scales (Choose 2 scales from each group. Please play 2 octaves where possible):

• Major scales – F, D, Eb, Ab, B
• Harmonic minor – E, G, C, F#, C#
• Chromatic – 2 octaves starting on a note of your choice

Own choice:

• 1 piece/excerpt in a jazz style, 1-2 minutes in length, optional improvised solo (if playing a solo). Optional: Play along with a backing track or accompanist.  

Sight-reading:

• Big band excerpt (for piano and bass this will include notation and chord symbols). Email us the day before you plan to record your audition and we will email you the big band chart.

Drums

Scales 

• F major
• D major
• A harmonic minor

Own choice:

• 1 piece/excerpt in a jazz style, 1-2 minutes in length, optional improvised solo

Sight-reading:

• Big band excerpt. Email us the day before you plan to record your audition and we will email you the big band chart.

Demonstrate the following feels in varying tempos:

• swing feel
• latin feel
• your choice of a time signature other than 4/4 (e.g. 3/4, 5/4, 6/8)