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YOUTH MUSIC ILLINOIS
  • Home
  • Support YMI
    • Ways to Support YMI
    • Program Advertising
  • Concerts & Events
  • About YMI
    • Ensembles >
      • Which ensemble to choose
      • Youth Symphony
      • Concert Orchestra
      • Preparatory Orchestra
      • Dolce String Ensemble
      • Percussion Ensemble
      • Jazz Program
    • Audition Information
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    • Contact
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Jazz at YMI

Apply for Jazz at YMI
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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 from 6:00 to 8:00, and our season runs from February to May.

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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 from 4:00-5:30.

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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 from 6:00-8:00.

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.

Audition information

Jazz Orchestra (Spring)
Wind Players: 
1) Marked section of Malaguena
2) Any 3 consecutive lines of the ILMEA Senior Scale Page, in swung 8th notes
Rhythm Section:
1)Marked Section of Malaguena
2)12 measures of Bb Blues, comping chords/groove

ymi_jazz_orchestra_audition_excerpts.pdf
File Size: 2501 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Jr. Jazz Orchestra 
Audition Requirements:
       Wind Players:
1)Marked section of Sentimental Journey
2) 1 line from the ILMEA Jr. Scale Sheet

Rhythms Section:

1) Marked Section of Sentimental Journey 
2) A solo representative of your current playing level (up to 2 minutes)
​

​I was in the ensemble last year. Do I need to audition again?
Everyone needs to audition every year, regardless of previous participation.
ymi_jr_jazz_audition_excerpts.pdf
File Size: 7187 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Jazz Big Band (Fall)
Audition Requirements:
       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
Rhythm Section:
  • 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
  • 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.
 
  • 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. 
Apply for Jazz at YMI
Lidia Riley ~ Executive Director
​
execdir@youthmusicillinois.org 
David Commanday ~ Music Director dcommanday@youthmusicillinois.org

Laura Otto~Director, Suzuki School of Music
SuzukiDirector@ciys.org
Youth Music Illinois
3601 North Sheridan Road
Peoria, Illinois 61604 
  • Home
  • Support YMI
    • Ways to Support YMI
    • Program Advertising
  • Concerts & Events
  • About YMI
    • Ensembles >
      • Which ensemble to choose
      • Youth Symphony
      • Concert Orchestra
      • Preparatory Orchestra
      • Dolce String Ensemble
      • Percussion Ensemble
      • Jazz Program
    • Audition Information
    • Application
    • History
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact
  • Students and Parents
    • Absences
    • Resource Links
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Handbook
    • COVID safety
  • Suzuki School of Music