AUDITIONS FOR THE 2024-25 KNOXVILLE JAZZ YOUTH ORCHESTRA WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th AT THE JOY OF MUSIC SCHOOL, 1209 EUCLID AVENUE NW#1, KNOXVILLE, TN 37921. SEE BELOW FOR AUDITION MATERIALS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
THE KNOXVILLE JAZZ YOUTH ORCHESTRA is an honors band under the direction KJO lead trombonist Tom Lundberg. The band is open to high school students from across East Tennessee and is chosen by audition each Fall. The group rehearses weekly from September through May and performs several concerts around the region each year. For a list of upcoming performances, see the link below.
IMPORTANT COVID PROTOCOLS: Due to the continued spread of Covid-19 in our community, all participants of the Knoxville Jazz Youth Orchestra are encouraged to be respectful and as distanced from one another as possible. The nature of a musical ensemble comprised almost entirely of wind instruments makes other normal safety procedures such as masking impossible. We appreciate your understanding as we try to keep our participants, instructors and their loved ones safe and healthy while still coming together for face-to-face music making activities.
For specific questions regarding the KJYO, please contact Tom Lundberg at tombone@earthlink.net
We are looking for the following high school aged instrumentalists: 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, 5 trumpets, 4 trombones, bass trombone, guitar, piano, acoustic and/or electric bass, drum set.
On September 11th, audition sign-up sheets will be available on - site starting at 5:30pm. We will hear candidates in the order that they are signed in, beginning at 6:30pm, locations TBD at JOM School. All players should be prepared to wait outside prior to their audition. We generally take up to 10 minutes with each .
On September 11th, audition sign-up sheets will be available on - site starting at 5:30pm. We will hear candidates in the order that they are signed in, beginning at 6:30pm, locations TBD at JOM School. All players should be prepared to wait outside prior to their audition. We generally take up to 10 minutes with each .
All players will be asked to sight-read. Please review the audition requirements for your instrument, posted here. Improvisation is not necessary at the audition but is encouraged. A play along CD will be available at the audition with a medium tempo 12 bar blues in concert F. Players are regularly admitted to the band with no prior improv experience.
There is no audition fee or participation fee for the KJYO. Players who are selected for the band will be encouraged to purchase a band shirt(s) to be worn in performances and will be asked to provide a sturdy music stand for some performances.
Alternate players for each position in the band may be chosen when merited. Alternates were utilized on each instrument ( except drums- we carried two drummers ) for rehearsals in 2023-24, and several alternates were able to perform with the band as well.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Saxophones, trumpets, and trombones will be asked to perform a prepared piece. Please follow the links below to download the music for your instrument. Major and chromatic scales over the full range of your instrument and sight-reading will also be required. Improvisation will be optional for the audition. Students may choose to improvise over a 12 bar blues progression in Concert "F." A play-a-long recording will be provided.
Pianists, bassists, and guitarists should be prepared to sight-read a chord progression. Pianists and guitarists will be required to play 4 choruses on a 12 bar blues progression, comping for 2 choruses, and improvising for 2 choruses. Bassists will be asked to walk a bass line. Major scales will also be required.
Drummers will be asked to play time in a swing style, latin style and rock/funk style. They will also be asked to sight-read a drum part from a big band arrangement.
Tenor saxophone prepared piece
Looking forward to hearing you play on September 11.
Questions? Email Tom Lundberg