What to prepare for big band auditions:
*A song or etude that you you play well
*Concert Bb, F, C and G Major scales
*Optional improvisation for a song or blues of your choice
*The etude provided (On the RCC Jazz Ensembles page) ) for your instrument, lead trombone and trumpet have an additional etude, guitar, piano and vibes have two etudes
*Drummers: Please demonstrate 16 bars each of: Swing time at quarter = 60, 120, & 240, Bossa Nova at quarter = 120, Samba at quarter = 240, Funk at quarter = 60 and Rock at quarter = 120. Also, if possible, include a past recording of a song performing with an ensemble in a rehearsal or concert.
For more information about the RCC Music Program, please visit the following websites:
www.rccband.org - Marching Tigers
www.rccchoir.com
www.rccpercussion.com
www.rccguitar.com
www.rccwindensemble.com
Riverside City College
http://www.coilschoolforthearts.com
You must apply to RCC and be accepted
before a semester starts:
For full-time student big bands:
Jazz Orchestra, MWF 12:15pm-1:45,
Charlie Richard, director, charles.richard@rcc.edu
Jazz Ensemble, MWF 12:15pm-1:45,
James Rocillo, director, James.Rocillo@rcc.edu
Jazz Lab Band, MW 5pm-6:30,
Dr. Jeffrey Benedict, director, Jeffrey.Benedict@rccd.edu
Jazz Collective, MW 5pm-6:30
Krystin Cowan, director, Krystin.Cowan@rccd.edu
Jazz Experience, MW 5-6:30
Nick Ornelas, director, Nick.ornelas@rccd.edu
For community big bands:
Community students/players are encouraged to contact the appropriate
conductor and attend the first rehearsal.
Mondays 7:30pm-9:30, Kevin Mayse & Charlie Richard,
directors, Kevin.Mayse@rcc.edu, Charles.Richard@rcc.edu
Tuesdays 7:30pm-9:30, Brian McNair,
director, Brian.McNair@rccd.edu
Wednesdays 7:30pm-9:30, Steven Ragsdale,
director, Steven.Ragsdale@rccd.edu
For combos:
There will be multiple combos with meeting times arranged to fit the students' schedules. We have the combo meeting and organization of students on the first Friday of the semester (Augist 28, 2026) at 1pm in the band room. At that meeting we'll match up students with similar backgrounds, ability and schedules.
We have 8 large jazz ensembles!
Auditions are held the first week of a semester. Full-time students please attend one or more of the rehearsals on the 1st Monday at 12:15pm and 5pm in the band room (all at the Coil School for the Arts). The audition process will be further explained and scheduled there.
If after reviewing this page you still have questions about the RCC Music Program, please contact the RCC Music Program Advisor Steven Schmidt: Steven.Schmidt@rcc.edu