Jazz Orchestra
This group is for jazz students who want more! The top students from all area high schools connect to perform some of the most challenging and exciting big band standards along with contemporary selections. This elite ensemble will provide musical exposure beyond the classroom. The YMI Jazz Orchestra meets Sunday evenings, and our season runs from January to May.
This group is for jazz students who want more! The top students from all area high schools connect to perform some of the most challenging and exciting big band standards along with contemporary selections. This elite ensemble will provide musical exposure beyond the classroom. The YMI Jazz Orchestra meets Sunday evenings, and our season runs from January to May.
Jr. Jazz Orchestra
Our newest jazz ensemble at YMI is tailored to those who want to have fun with jazz, but aren’t quite ready to step up to the Jazz Ensemble yet. Jr. Jazz is for younger students who really want to explore jazz beyond the opportunities they have in the classroom. We will learn how to play some fun standard big band pieces along with more contemporary fun charts. Learn how to swing and have fun with jazz music! Our season runs from August to May and we rehearse Sunday afternoons.
Our newest jazz ensemble at YMI is tailored to those who want to have fun with jazz, but aren’t quite ready to step up to the Jazz Ensemble yet. Jr. Jazz is for younger students who really want to explore jazz beyond the opportunities they have in the classroom. We will learn how to play some fun standard big band pieces along with more contemporary fun charts. Learn how to swing and have fun with jazz music! Our season runs from August to May and we rehearse Sunday afternoons.
Jazz Big Band
Want to play jazz in a new way? This ensemble is for you! Designed for high school and advanced 8th graders, we learn most of our pieces by ear, and accept almost any instrument. If you have always wanted to experience jazz but don’t play a “traditional jazz instrument” like violin, bass clarinet, french horn, or even marching horns like baritone or mellophone, we invite you to join us for this unique opportunity. Nearly any instrument will find this ensemble to be a deep and exciting exploration of jazz music. Big Band’s season runs August through November and meets Sunday nights
Want to play jazz in a new way? This ensemble is for you! Designed for high school and advanced 8th graders, we learn most of our pieces by ear, and accept almost any instrument. If you have always wanted to experience jazz but don’t play a “traditional jazz instrument” like violin, bass clarinet, french horn, or even marching horns like baritone or mellophone, we invite you to join us for this unique opportunity. Nearly any instrument will find this ensemble to be a deep and exciting exploration of jazz music. Big Band’s season runs August through November and meets Sunday nights
Cost
Each ensemble costs $250 per semester, and there is no obligation to be in the ensemble every semester. Students can join in the Spring and Fall semesters or be in both. Limited scholarships are available.
Each ensemble costs $250 per semester, and there is no obligation to be in the ensemble every semester. Students can join in the Spring and Fall semesters or be in both. Limited scholarships are available.
Audition information
Jazz Orchestra (Spring)
Coming Soon!
Jr. Jazz Orchestra
Audition Requirements:
Winds, Strings (other than bass), and Mallets:
I was in the ensemble last year. Do I need to audition again?
Everyone needs to audition every year, regardless of previous participation.
Winds, Strings (other than bass), and Mallets:
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Excerpt
- Be sure to pay attention to style
- It can be done at whatever tempo you feel appropriate
- Guitar and Piano
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Comp chords for one chorus of a 12 bar blues, any key
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Bass
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Walk a bass line for a 12 bar blues, any key.
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Drum set
- Play 16 measures of any 2 of the following styles: Up tempo Swing, Medium Shuffle, Funk
I was in the ensemble last year. Do I need to audition again?
Everyone needs to audition every year, regardless of previous participation.
Jazz Big Band (Fall)
Audition Requirements:
Winds, Strings (other than bass), and Mallets:
I was in the ensemble last year. Do I need to audition again?
Everyone needs to audition every year, regardless of previous participation.
Winds, Strings (other than bass), and Mallets:
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Excerpt
- Be sure to pay attention to style
- It can be done at whatever tempo you feel appropriate
- Guitar and Piano
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Comp chords for one chorus of a 12 bar blues, any key
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Bass
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Scales should be 2 octaves if possible
- Scales should be done as swung 8th notes
- Walk a bass line for a 12 bar blues, any key.
- Scales: Concert F and Bb major scales
- Drum set
- Play 16 measures of any 2 of the following styles: Up tempo Swing, Medium Shuffle, Funk
I was in the ensemble last year. Do I need to audition again?
Everyone needs to audition every year, regardless of previous participation.
The YMI Jazz Program is led by Jeff Arbisi. Concerts will be held in November/December and April/May each year. The Jazz Ensembles may play smaller concerts, to be announced each semester.