Have the time of your musical life performing instrumental and vocal jazz with BC bOp! This exciting and versatile ensemble performs every variety of jazz imaginable from traditional big band charts to modern.
BC bOp!’s instrumental and vocal resources allow the ensemble to create a broad and engaging variety of sound to please everyone from the casual listener to the jazz connoisseur. Membership in BC bOp! is determined by competitive auditions, held in the first week of the academic year.
We perform big band standards, contemporary jazz, Latin charts, funk tunes, and pop hits up to 10 times each year and never on the same stage! Special events include an annual (sold-out) showcase, area jazz nights, a Christmas Concert, and a jazz immersion trip.
Instrumentalists rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15–6:30 p.m.
Vocalists rehearse on Wednesdays from 7:00–9:00 p.m., Thursdays from 4:15–6:30 p.m., and Fridays from 4:00–6:00 p.m. Vocalists receive a small stipend.
Check us out on our socials:
Contact
Sebastian Bonaiuto
Director of Bands
For more information, email bonaiuto@bc.edu.
Karen Sayward
Vocal Director
For more information, email saywardt@bc.edu.
2023-2024 Auditions
Info Session at Conte Forum Band Room
Monday, August 28 at 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Instrumentalist Auditions
Mandatory Reading Session Tuesday, August 29 from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Individual Auditions
Sunday, September 3 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Vocalist Auditions
- Solo Audition: Thursday, August 31, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
- Callback Rehearsal: Friday, September 1, 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- Final Audition: Monday, September 4,, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
All sessions are held at Conte Forum Band Room unless otherwise specified.
What should instrumentalists prepare for the audition?
Instrumentalists have nothing to prepare in advance of the audition. The audition music will be distributed at the reading session. The audition music consists of an excerpt from a piece that we rehearse at the reading session. Students will take the music to practice for the individual audition.
What should vocalists prepare for the audition?
Vocalists should prepare a solo of their choice for the solo audition. Vocal candidates may select a standard jazz solo, a musical theater selection or a popular song. Vocalists who are called back prepare a few short excerpts of ensemble songs.
What is the time commitment?
BC bOp! Instrumentalists rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15 pm to 6:30 pm. Instrumental full ensemble rehearsals add up to of 4 hours per week. BC bOp! Vocalists rehearse on Wednesdays from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm; Thursdays from 4:15 pm to 6:30 pm (with the instrumentalists); and Fridays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
All members (instrumentalists and vocalists) are expected to practice outside of rehearsals to prepare the music. Individual practice time will vary for each member.
When and where are concerts typically held?
BC bOp! typically performs 3-4 times per semester. Most performances take place on campus. Occasionally, an off-campus performance is scheduled. A short trip in the spring semester will include one or two performances. BC bOp! performs twice during the Boston College Arts Festival at the end of April.
I do not own an instrument. Can I loan one from the Bands Program?
Yes. The Boston College Bands Program maintains an inventory of high-quality instruments that we loan to students who play in our ensembles at no cost. Contact the Bands Office at bcbands@bc.edu to arrange an instrument loan.
What is the audition process?
The audition process for BC bOp! instrumentalists consists of a reading session and an individual audition. The reading session is just like a typical rehearsal where everyone plays together. Everyone is required to attend the reading session. The audition music is distributed at the reading session and is for the student to take to practice for the individual audition. The audition process for BC bOp! vocalists is a solo audition, a callback rehearsal and a final audition. Candidates select a song of their own choice for the solo audition. For the solo audition, vocalists may select a standard jazz solo, a musical theater selection or a popular song. Vocal candidates are provided with short musical excerpts to learn for the callback rehearsal.
