The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra - NOJO Youth Orchestra

The  NOJO Youth Orchestra serves the greater New Orleans community and the surrounding areas. The NOJO Youth Orchestra preserves jazz big band tradition and exposes participants to the music of legendary artists, including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, and Count Basie. The program provides opportunities for selected high school students to learn the history, music, and styles of big band playing in an 18-piece orchestra. Students will also develop musical and social skills while interacting in a diverse, professional setting.

The youth orchestra program is designed to provide educational instruction and performances that include private instruction from members of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, sectional rehearsals, recordings, and opportunities to perform and travel domestically and to Europe for the Jazz Ascona Festival in Switzerland. The orchestra will also perform at local festivals, venues, and compete in national jazz big band competitions.

Audition Information

VIDEO AUDITIONS: Students are invited to record a high-quality video using their cell phone or another device and submit accessible files or links to education@thenojo.com before the Video Submission Deadline of Friday, Sept. 22nd.

In addition to the audition requirements listed below, each video submission should include the following background information stated in either written or spoken form:

1. Student’s Name, School Name, and Grade Level

2. Student’s Instrument/s and Number of Years Played

LIVE AUDITIONS: While we encourage students to submit video auditions for ease and efficiency sake, alternatively, students can audition in-person at the New Orleans Jazz Market (1436 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd) on Saturday, Sept. 23rd between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Students must email education@thenojo.com to request their desired audition time, with live auditions lasting approximately 15-20 minutes each.

“We believe that Jazz can be the catalyst for positive and permanent change in our community.”

Eligibility

Any high school students in grades 9-12 who play the following instruments are eligible to audition: trumpet or flugelhorn, trombone (tenor and bass), saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, or bari), clarinet or bass clarinet, sousaphone or tuba, upright or electric bass, piano or electric keyboard, acoustic or electric guitar, vibraphone or xylophone, drums or percussion, and vocalists.

Audition Requirements

  1. Two Prepared Pieces: Students can perform any two selections they like from memory, with sheet music or a backing track, improvised, or any combination of the above. Sight reading will not be required. Selections should be anywhere from 1-3 minutes each in length and reflect the student’s musical interests in a personal way.

  2. Scales: Quarter Note = 90 BPM. Students can perform any scales they like (including vocalists), e.g. up to five scales maximum. Scale selections can include (though are not limited to) major, minor, pentatonic, and chromatic, e.g. minimum one octave up and down.

  3. Musical Background: In five minutes or less, students should verbally describe: 1) how music has had a positive or meaningful impact in their lives historically; and 2) why music is important to them today.

  4. Drummers: Instead of prepared pieces and scales, drummers can perform two rudiments and any three grooves; with the option to improvise over anything they like. Selections should be 1-2 minutes each and showcase the student’s range and versatility on the drum kit and/or percussion, e.g. contrasting styles, tempos, dynamics, etc.

SUBMISSION FORM

Click the link below to complete the registration form. Fill in all required sections and check all boxes that apply to your student. Once you’ve signed the form electronically, you will be prompted to submit your form. A confirmation of your submission will be sent to you via the email listed.

Registration forms may also be printed and returned to education@thenojo.com

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