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 JULY 19TH FOR RETURNING JHYO MEMBERS AND SELECTED AUDITIONEES

Please note: the 2024 JHYO Live Auditions will take place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on August 3rd and 4th.


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 be receive a registration link on July 19th to Register and select an audition timeslot.

3. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time on August 3rd or 4th 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

  • 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:

  1. Improvise a two-chorus solo on two songs: 1. Blues in Bb (Concert) and 2. “There Will Never Be Another You” Eb (Concert). 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.


MUSIC TO PREPARE FOR THE LIVE AUDITION ARRANGED BY INSTRUMENT (Downloadable)