Join

As a Member

As a Sub

NWS is looking for talented subs for an upcoming gig on November 5th, 2022!

We've got openings in the following chairs:

  • Tenor Sax 2

One of the best ways to support us is through your participation as a musician! If this sounds like something you want to do, we want to hear from you! Simply email us at info@northwestswing.org with your name, contact info, and your background (e.g. your training, experience, current ensemble participation). We’ll get back to you with next steps.

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SUBBING IN

Becoming a sub is one of the best ways to feel us out and play with us!  We're always looking for talented musicians who can step in, play some jazz with us, and fill crucial holes that occasionally open up.

As a sub, you'll occasionally be called on to fill in for members who are unable to play.  Usually we will call subs to fill in for gigs, and the two rehearsals leading up to those gigs.  However, we occasionally bring in subs for our normal rehearsals too.

SUBBING FOR REHEARSALS -- "SITTING IN"

If you're a first-time sub with us, or just getting back into jazz, this is a great way to feel us out and build your confidence! We love when musicians join us for our rehearsals, even if we have a full band that day!  We're usually able to accommodate extra parts for a single rehearsal, and it's a great way for you to get a feel for us, and for us to get to know you!

Send email to info@northwestswing.org if this sounds like something you'd like to do!  We'll be happy to have you!

SUBBING FOR GIGS

In general, sub positions for gigs are more demanding than sit-in positions in large part because we will call you for only a few rehearsals (or even one rehearsal) and expect you to be gig-ready on the pieces we choose.  That means in general, you should:

  • Have strong sight-reading skills.
    This is an absolute must, as you won't necessarily have access to the music prior to your rehearsal with us. Arrangements can be made to provide the music to you, but you are responsible for requesting that.

  • Be able to commit to all rehearsals and the gig.
    If you can't make all rehearsals and the gig, please don't apply.

  • Be able to improvise (if subbing for a lead position).
    Lead positions frequently have improvised solos -- we will need you to be comfortable with that.

Use your best judgement on whether you're comfortable subbing for a gig.  We generally recommend you sit in with us for several rehearsals to build your confidence (and ours in your abilities) before you request to sub for a gig.

BECOMING A SUB

Becoming a sub is easy:

  • Send an email to info@northwestswing.org requesting to sub for a particular position.
    We will look for upcoming rehearsals for you to sit in, and invite you in. This is your chance to get to know us, and for us to get to know you!

  • We'll add you to our sub list.
    If you enjoy us and we enjoy you, we'll keep you on our sub list and call you back for future needs.

The more you play with us, the more likely we are to call you first.  So don't rely on us to just call you when we need you -- stay in touch with us and periodically query us for openings or to sit-in with us.  We're much more likely to schedule you in on a spot if you make the request! 

Even better, the more you play with us, the better your chances of membership should a seat open, as you will be among the first we ask to join!