Performances often feature guest soloists and include the finest and latest in contemporary jazz.
Performing organizations within the Department of Jazz Studies give both music majors and non-music majors the chance to experience the wide variety of styles and literature within the field of jazz through the process of rehearsing and performing jazz repertoire. Depending on the ability of performers at auditions, a few positions may be doubled to give a greater number of students the opportunity to experience playing music of this art form. The Jazz Lab Band follows the same format, and offers performing opportunities for a second aggregate of musicians. Chairs in both ensembles are filled by open auditions during the first week of classes each semester. At these auditions, players are expected to demonstrate technical proficiency, knowledge of stylistic concepts, sightreading ability, and improvisational skills.