2026 ATSSB All-State Jazz Band, Tito Carrillo (Texas State University), conductor
Brian Donnell – State Jazz Coordinator
Devin Sipes, Jazz Band organizer
Latest news
What's happening for 26/27
Print music and audio files for Set A for the 2026/2027 jazz auditions are on sale now. Click here to purchase.
Find out what’s new for Set A
The biggest change is the improv piece, which will be Bags’ Groove.
Download the Bags’ Groove music and backing tracks
Note: If you already own Set A, just replace the former improv piece with Bags’ Groove. Also, the music has AUDITION parts (for auditions) and PERFORMANCE parts (for performance with a full group).
For Band Directors
Band directors
To get started in this year’s Jazz auditions:
1) Be sure you are a current active member of ATSSB – click here to join!
2) Visit the following page for rules – click here!
3) Order your copy of the music for Set A – purchase here. The set includes AUDITION parts for the auditions and PERFORMANCE parts if you play the piece with a full group. Only use AUDITION parts for the auditions.
4) Check your region’s page for audition date.
5) Tips and suggestions for students (amp settings, cymbal usage, and more) – click here!
The music is designed with small schools in mind! Directors can rehearse each selection with any combination of players since each is written for full ensemble.
NOTES:
1 – Drum auditions for Area must be performed on an acoustic drumset.
2 – Trumpet players must audition on trumpet, not flugelhorn (yes, the demo on the CD may be a flugelhorn, but we don’t use flugel for the auditions).
3 – Guitar players may use an electric or acoustic guitar. If electric, must not use effects pedals.
4 – Piano players may use an acoustic, digital or electronic piano. If digital/electronic, the patch setting must be grand piano/piano (not organ, jazz organ, etc.)
<!– [if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]> SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT <![endif]–><!– [if gte vml 1]>
<![endif]–><!– [if gte vml 1]>
<![endif]–><!– [if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]>
<![endif]–>
Are you a student?
Are you a student who wants to audition?
1) Talk to your band director in order to get your music for Set A. They can purchase it here.
2) Make sure you understand what your region is using for the audition if it’s different than Area recordings (for Area, you must record all 4 songs. Details are on the top of every page), and only use AUDITION parts for the audition. It will specify at the top left corner.
3) Tips and suggestions for students (amp settings, cymbal usage, and more) – click here!
Info for Region Coordinators
If you are a region coordinator....
The Area audition backing tracks will be linked here in the fall. They will be in MP3 and WAV so you can forward to your recording engineer, if applicable. The page’s password will be sent (to the region coordinators only) in the summer.
If you have directors in your region who would be terrific adjudicators for the Area Jazz listening panels, send those names to your Area coordinator before Oct 1.
After the region auditions and recordings for Area are finished, send forms 8, 9, and a check to Brian Donnell
Forms
Area Jazz Fee Invoice – This invoice is being provided for your convenience. The ATSSB Area Jazz Fee must be paid before a student’s recorded audition will be allowed at Area and is usually paid in one check by the Region Coordinator. All Area Jazz fees are due on or before November 8, 2026. Make check payable to “ATSSB.” Do NOT send it to the state office. Call or email your Region Coordinator or the State Jazz Coordinator if you have any questions regarding Area Jazz Fee payment.
Jazz Ensemble Form 8 – Area Certification (Reg coordinators send this to B Donnell after the Area recordings are uploaded to the TMEA site. You can email a PDF from the computer program, fill this form out by hand, or send a spreadsheet.)
Jazz Ensemble Form 9 – Region Audio Recording Cover for Region Coordinators (Reg coordinators send this to B Donnell after the Area recordings are uploaded to the TMEA site. Be sure to include a check for the full amount with this form.)
Jazz Ensemble Form 10 – All-State Jazz Ensemble Certification*
Jazz Ensemble Form 13 – Refusal of All-State Honors
Info for Area Coordinators
Area Coordinators
The listening panels will be selected by the 5 Area Coordinators and listed here after October 1. In the fall, you might want to send an email to your Area’s region coordinators asking for suggested names for the judging panels.
The 5 Area Coordinators will be sent an online form to fill out on October 1. You will designate 1 name for each of the 7 panels – alto sax, tenor/bari sax, trumpet, tenor trombone, bass trombone, drums, piano/bass/guitar.
Are you a director who’s interested in being considered as a judge for the All-State Band? Contact your region coordinator!
Contact
State Jazz Coordinator
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions:
Brian Donnell
Email: bdonnell@atssb.org
Greenhill School 4141 Spring Valley Rd Addison, Tx 75001
Cell: (972) 978-9161 Work: (972) 628-5498