Jazz Fest at the Nest

On May 3, 2025, we will host the fourth “Jazz Fest at the Nest” at our beautiful campus and top-notch Geer College of the Arts facilities from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (registration starts at 8:00 a.m.). We are thrilled about another opportunity to make jazz education enjoyable, accessible, affordable, and beneficial for your students and your music program.

As a music educator, you may nominate students you feel would benefit from––and contribute to––this event. Additionally, students who would like to participate without a nomination may sign up and submit their audition videos. Our team will sort students into jazz groups based on experience, skill level, and director recommendation. What types of groups? We will offer big band ensembles and (limited) jazz combo groups.

Our 4th annual festival will take place only on Saturday and will conclude with a final concert featuring the student ensembles and the Kennesaw State University Jazz Faculty Parliament (faculty performing ensemble).

Open to high-school-aged students only.

IMPORTANT! Parents, please complete the Minors Protection Paperwork here in order for your student to participate in Jazz Fest at the Nest. All paperwork must be submitted by Monday, April 7, 2025.

What Students Can Expect
- Immersion into a collaborative learning domain with the opportunity to be successful.
- Masterclasses by our world-renowned Kennesaw State University jazz faculty members.
- Instruction in idiomatic style, jazz improvisation, and active listening.
- A relaxed, fun environment focused on learning and performing this uniquely American art form.
Band Directors and Private Instructors
Nominate students to audition for the following groups:
- two 21-piece Big Bands,
- one 10-piece little Big Band,
- three 9-piece combos
A limited number of vocalists will be accepted due to space and equipment demands.
How to Audition
We are beyond excited to welcome you to the 4th Annual Jazz Fest at the Nest (get it – we’re Owls?) Below, you will see many downloadable parts. Here are the general guidelines for you.

1. Download the appropriate part for you, below.
1. If you are auditioning for lead trumpet, or bass trombone, there are specific audition materials for those instruments.
2. All parts (except Guitar) are designed to go with this MIDI file online (mp3).
3. Guitar part is from a different song, and you may listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5K6JZfuAjg
4. Those wishing to improvise should provide 2 choruses of blues, in the key of your choice. For that, we would like to hear the background track.
5. Here is one example of a backing track that you might use (if improvising in F concert). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg-Ea7aCb1E&t=72s
2. On all of the parts, you will see instructions about the part(s) to be performed.

3. All auditions MUST be video to be considered. Audio only auditions will NOT be accepted.

4. You should perform the excerpt without any background (MIDI file or YouTube video).

5. Once completed, come back here and click “Upload my audition video” and follow the instructions. This will take you to a WuFoo form where you can give us your information and a link to your video audition.

6. You will be notified via email about your acceptance status. Your possible results would be “Accepted,” “Try again next year,” or “Alternate player.” The alternate player is someone who would attend if someone got sick, or was unable to make it.

7. In the email, there will be a link to make your payment online. Payments must be received no later than April 30 in order to secure your spot. After that date, alternates will be contacted.

8. On the day of the festival, your directors will listen to you throughout the day, and will meet to discuss who will be invited to perform with the KSU Faculty Jazz Group that afternoon.

9. Everyone will perform in concert on that same day, in late afternoon (schedule is still being put together).

10. If you have ANY questions, please email: jazz@kennesaw.edu

So excited to meet you!

Tyrone Jackson, Festival Coordinator

Rob Opitz, Festival Assistant Coordinator

Audition Parts
Alto Audition

Baritone Saxophone Audition

Bass Bone Audition

Bass Audition

Drums Sight Reading
Guitar Audition

Lead Bone Audition

Lead Trumpet Audition

Piano Audition

Section Trumpet Audition

Tenor Saxophone Audition
Submit Your Video Audition

Ready, set, GO! Submit your video audition below! Questions? Please email jazz@kennesaw.edu.
SUBMIT VIDEO AUDITION

Jazz Fest SAMPLE Schedule

No Value	No Value	No Value	No Value	No Value	No Value	No Value
8:00 -– 9:00 a.m.9:00 – 9:15 a.m.	REGISTRATION Faculty Parliament is introduced and performs 1 or 2 songs.
9:20 – 11:30 a.m.	Big Band 1 Rehearsal Sam	Big Band 2 Rehearsal Rob	COMBO 3 Rehearsal Trey	COMBO 3 Rehearsal Trey	COMBO 5 Rehearsal Marc	COMBO 6 or little Big Band Rehearsal Wes
11:35 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.	Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.	Saxophone Clinic Sam	Saxophone Clinic Sam	Rhythm Section Clinic Marc, Justin	Vocal Clinic Karla, Tyrone	Guitar Clinic Trey (could meet in Trey’s office)
2:05 – 4:30 p.m.	Big Band 1 Rehearsal Sam	Big Band 2 Rehearsal Rob	COMBO 3 Rehearsal Trey	COMBO 4 Rehearsal Justin	COMBO 5 Rehearsal Marc	COMBO 5 Rehearsal Marc
5:00 p.m.	Adjudicated (Awards) Concert
6:30 p.m.	Dinner/Debriefing for Clinicians

Clinicians and Directors
- Sam Skelton - Big Band 1
- Rob Opitz (asst. coordinator) - Big Band 2/Assistant Coordinator
- Trey Wright - Combo 1
- Justin Chesarek - Combo 2
- Marc Miller - Combo 3
- Wes Funderburk - Little Big Band or Combo 4
- Karla Harris - Clinician for Master Class
- Luke Weathington - Additional Clinician
- Tyrone Jackson - Coordinator/Administrative/ Clinician
The Team
- Tyrone Jackson - Coordinator, Piano clinician
- Rob Opitz - Assistant coordinator, Trumpet clinician
- Sam Skelton, Luke Weathington - Saxophone clinicians
- Wes Funderburk - Trombone clinician
- Justin Chesarek - Drum Set clinician
- Trey Wright - Guitar clinician
- Marc Miller - Bass clinician
- Karla Harris - Vocal jazz clinician
Contact

For more information, please contact: jazz@kennesaw.edu.