youth orchestra / audition information
Audition Information for the Jazz Houston Youth Orchestra
LIVE AUDITION & ENROLLMENT INFO
THE REGISTRATION AND ENROLEMENT LINK WILL BE SENT OUT ON JUNE 30TH FOR RETURNING JHYO MEMBERS AND SELECTED AUDITIONEES
Please note: the 2025 JHYO Live Auditions will take place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on August 2nd and 3rd. There will be a live rhythm section during all auditions to accompany each applicant.
1. New auditionees will be contacted by JAZZ HOUSTON staff and directed to the portal for registration and an audition timeslot once reviews are completed. Please Note: Not all auditionees will be asked to come in for a live audition.
2. Returning JHYO members do not have to submit a video. They will receive a registration link on June 30th to Register and select an audition timeslot.
3. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time on August 2nd or 3rd in order to check in and warm up.
4. Musicians who have been accepted into the JHYO will be notified by the Education Department. Those who have been accepted into the Alternate or Mentorship Program will be notified and provided with participant info.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- All applicants must be in High School grades 9-12
- Experience playing Jazz is welcomed but NOT required.
- All Applicants must prepare the Live Audition materials listed below.
- For additional information or questions, please send an email to info@jazzhouston.org
INSTRUMENTS WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Trumpet
Trombone
Bass Trombone
Saxophones- Alto, Tenor, and Baritone. All Saxophones must double on Clarinet or be willing to learn.
Piano
Acoustic Bass
Guitar (Acoustic Strongly Encouraged)
Drum Set
Vocal (If you are a singer and auditioning on one of the instruments above)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIVE AUDITIONS:
Participants will be asked to:
Improvise a two-chorus solo on two songs: 1. Blues in Bb (Concert) and 2. “Yardbird Suite (Concert C). Click on the buttons below to download a .pdf Lead Sheet of the songs and for links to online backing tracks to each song in order to practice them at home.
Prepare an exerpt of our choice selected from Jazz Band repertoire. Each instrument’s excerpt is viewable and downloadable on their page using the links below.