CMS Jazz Combos

CMS Jazz Combos may be taken for credit: 21M.445

ABOUT MIT CMS JAZZ COMBOS

Three Jazz Combos are formed under the auspices of the
MIT Chamber Music Society. They include approximately
20 students ranging from intermediate to advanced levels.

Jazz Combos study and perform traditional and contemporary
small group jazz literature and improvisation, with opportunities for students to compose/arrange for the ensembles. Combos rehearse once weekly with renowned Boston jazz bassist, Keala Kaumeheiwa, and are also expected to meet independently. The combos perform one concert per semester. CMS Jazz Combos are coordinated and overseen by Dr. Fred Harris.

CONCERTS

- Tuesday, November 24, 7:30pm in Killian Hall

- Tuesday, December 1, 7:30pm in Killian Hall

- Thursday, April 27, 7:30pm in Killian Hall

- Thursday, May 4, 7:30pm in Killian Hall

AUDITIONS FALL 2026

Dr. Frederick Harris, Music Director, MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, MIT Jazz Performance Coordinator, and Emerson/Harris Jazz Advisor, (fharris@mit.edu)

If you are interesting in auditioning for the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble and/or CMS Jazz Combos for Spring 2026, please register here.

NOTE: Auditions for the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, CMS Jazz Combos, and the Emerson/Harris Jazz Program are all combined into one audition. Your interests in any or all of these opportunities are covered by ONE jazz audition.

Accepted students may take MIT CMS Combos (21M.445) for credit (6 units) but may also participate registering as a Listener (not for credit).

MIT FJE is comprised of MIT undergraduate and graduate students but all local college students, MIT community members, and non-MIT community members are welcome to audition. The audition lasts approximately 15 minutes. While the typical instrumentation of the MIT FJE comprises saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and full rhythm section, any other interested instrumentalists are welcome to audition.

Audition registration will be available shortly.

Audition Information

There are four parts to the audition

1. Chromatic scale through your entire range

2. Sight-reading. **Rhythm Section players (Piano/Vibes/Guitar/Bass/Drums) see note below.

3. Two short stylistically contrasting pieces (a ballad and a swing/bebop composition for example). You are encouraged but not required to demonstrate your improvisational ability. Please provide your own recorded accompaniments if possible. If you need playback equipment for recorded accompaniments, please note this request in your audition form and describe exactly what you need.

4. Prepare excerpts from Yatra-Ta and Lonely Moments.

Instructions for Yatra-Ta

*For all instruments:

—Prepare letter A up to letter C

(Alto saxophones use Alto 1 part; Tenors use Tenor 1 part; Trumpets may use Trumpet 1, 2 or 3 part but all trumpets should prepare trumpet 3 part the first seven measures of A; Trombones may use Trombone 1, 2, or 3 part)

—Rhythm section, in addition to letter A up to to letter C, also prepare the changes D to E

Yatra-Ta parts are here.

Study recording for Yatra-Ta is here.

Instructions for Lonely Moments

—All saxes, trumpets, bones prepare ms. 85 up to ms. 112 (ms. 103 up to 112, you may choose any part you wish)

—Rhythm section, prepare the first 36 measures of the piece.

Lonely Moments parts are here.

Study recording for Lonely Moments is here.

**NOTE for Rhythm Section players:

*Piano/Vibes/Guitar: Sight-reading of basic chord changes will be part of your audition. Guitar and bass players should provide their own amps. If that is not possible, please inform the Events Office at least 24 hours in advance of your audition day.

*Bass: Sight-reading of basic swing and funk/Latin charts and chord changes will be part of your audition.

*Drum Set: Sight-reading of basic swing and Latin/funk charts and performance of four/eight bars of time followed by four/eight bars of soloing in both swing and funk/Latin styles at a medium tempo will be part of our audition.

If you have any questions about auditions/MIT FJE in general, contact Dr. Fred Harris (fharris@mit.edu). If you need access to an instrument, fill out the Instrument Request Form, then contact the MTA Events Office (mta-request@mit.edu).

Note: Students who register for an audition and need access to the MTA 4-260 practice room suite during the week leading up to auditions, may request access by emailing mta-request@mit.edu. Percussionists will be given access to the Kresge Percussion Studio, and can also request access by emailing mta-request@mit.edu

MIT CMS Jazz Combos