AUDITIONS FOR THE 2023-24 KNOXVILLE JAZZ YOUTH ORCHESTRA WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th 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.

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.  

Sign up for an audition time below under trumpet, trombone, sax or rhythm (piano, guitar, bass and drums).

BOOK SAXOPHONE AUDITION

IMPORTANT: The calendar window will open on today’s date. You must scroll forward to September 13 to schedule your audition time.

BOOK TRUMPET AUDITION

IMPORTANT: The calendar window will open on today’s date. You must scroll forward to September 13 to schedule your audition time.

BOOK TROMBONE AUDITION

IMPORTANT: The calendar window will open on today’s date. You must scroll forward to September 13 to schedule your audition time.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

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. 

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.

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.  

Alternate players for each position in the band may be chosen when merited.

Alto saxophone prepared piece

Tenor saxophone prepared piece

Baritone saxophone prepared piece

Trumpet prepared piece

Trombone prepared piece

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