Michigan Youth Jazz Orchestra
Updated May 18, 2026
Make-Up Application Deadline: July 6, 2026
The Michigan Youth Jazz Orchestra (MYJO) provides advanced experience performing a variety of big band repertoire in venues throughout Southeast Michigan. The Michigan Youth Jazz Orchestra is open to all high-school aged instrumentalists interested in jazz and/or improvisation. It is recommended for students to have at least one year of jazz experience if they wish to participate but is not required.
MYJO Announcements
(5/18/26) Make-Up Auditions Available
Information on Make-Up Auditions is now available! See the Auditions & Eligibility section below for more information. Eligible instruments for make-up auditions: Saxophone (All), Trombone and Trumpet
Rehearsal Information
Time: Sundays, 12:00-2:00 pm
Location: The Cady Room
Frederick Stearns Building
(U-M North Campus, 2005 Baits Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109)
All rehearsals / events will take place at this regular time and location unless otherwise noted.
MYJO Season Schedule
Select the link below for next season’s schedule. NOTE: A final 2026-2027 season schedule will be sent to students upon acceptance into the MYE program following auditions.
Instructors
Conductor / Faculty Director – Dennis Wilson
Associate Professor of Music, Jazz & Contemporary Improvisation
Dennis Wilson
Associate Professor of Music, Jazz & Contemporary Improvisation
Dennis Wilson joined the Michigan faculty after teaching at Kansas State University where he also served as an assistant dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. Wilson is the lead trombonist for the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra and has toured, performed, and recorded with the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, the New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the American Jazz Orchestra, the Benny Carter Orchestra, and Slide Hampton’s World of Trombones. He received a GRAMMY Award nomination for vocal arrangements for Manhattan Transfer and has performed on GRAMMY Award-winning recordings with Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Diane Schurr.
Auditions & Eligibility
*Make-Up Application Deadline: July 6, 2026
Make-Up Live Auditions: July 11, 2026
Michigan Youth Jazz Orchestra Audition Requirements
Students must submit a Michigan Youth Ensembles application and pay a non-refundable $30 application fee before their audition. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on financial need (please view financial aid information below).
Specific audition requirements for each instrument are listed below:
All Wind Instruments
- Prepare an improvised solo using the song “Lady Bird” using the following guidelines. You can download a PDF file of “Lady Bird” here in your instrument’s key.
A full playing of the melody- Play a minimum of 2 (two) choruses improvising
- Play 1 (one) chorus of trading 4’s
- Play one additional chorus of the melody going out
Piano, Guitar, Bass
- Walk a bass line or comp chords for an F of Bb blues with a jazz combo. A combo of SMTD students will be available at auditions.
- Prepare an improvised solo using the song “Lady Bird” using the following guidelines. You can download a PDF file of “Lady Bird” here in your instrument’s key.
- A full playing of the melody
- Play a minimum of 2 (two) choruses improvising
- Play 1 (one) chorus of trading 4’s
- Play 1 (one) chorus of the melody
Drums
- Prepare pieces that demonstrate the following styles:
- Swing (with sticks) = Trade fours with yourself. 4 bars of time into 4 bars of soloing. Repeat this cycle 6 times. Tempo range of 120 to 160 BPM
- Swing (with brushes) = Play time for 8 measures into 4 measures of soloing. Repeat this cycle 4 times. Tempo range of 100 to 140 BPM
- Bossa nova
- Samba
- Ballad (Use brushes). Tempo range of 80 to 110 BPM
- Funk / Rock
*Eligible instruments for make-up auditions: Saxophone (All), Trombone and Trumpet
Early Decision for Make-Up Auditions
Students have the option of auditioning in-person, or submitting an application with a video recording of all required materials in lieu of an in-person audition. Those who submit a video audition with all required audition materials will receive a decision on their admission within one week of submitting their application.
Eligibility
Students interested in the Michigan Youth Jazz Orchestra must be enrolled in grades 9 (nine) through 12 (twelve) for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Regular Instrumentation is Alto Saxophone (2), Baritone Saxophone (1), Bass Trombone (1), Double Bass (2), Drum Set (2), Guitar (1), Piano (2), Tenor Saxophone (2), Trombone (3), Trumpet (5) and Voice (2). Special orchestrations include Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Cello, Bb Clarinet, Euphonium, Flute, Harp, Horn, Marimba, Oboe, and Violin orchestrated by Prof. Wilson.
For questions about applications, audition requirements, or the audition process, feel free to contact SMTD Engagement & Outreach Staff via email at [email protected].
Tuition | Fees | Scholarships
Updated for the 2026-27 MYE Season
- Participant – $545
- Non-refundable application fee – $30
A discounted tuition rate of $375.00 per additional ensemble is available for musicians who participate in multiple ensembles. This discount is applied to the ensemble of equal or lesser value.
Refund Policy
Full refunds of MYE tuition are only available before the first regularly scheduled rehearsal of the current concert season. Find full details: SMTD Engagement and Outreach Refund Policy
Application Fee Waiver
Review the qualifications and the documentation you will need to provide here: How can I apply for a fee waiver for my application? Qualified students/families will reach out to the Acceptd Support team to request a waiver code to waive the $30 application fee. Fill out this fee waiver form to request a code.
Need-based Scholarship
A limited number of need-informed scholarships are available to families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $125,000 or under in the previous calendar year, or with special circumstances. To be considered you must upload your financial aid materials by the application deadline as part of your application. This includes:
- Monthly Expenses
- Previous Year’s Tax Return
- Statement of Need
The William E. Root Engagement & Outreach Fund supports SMTD’s Engagement & Outreach Programs, with a preference for scholarships for participants in the Michigan Youth Ensembles. This fund allows us to fully support multiple students each MYE season.
Contact Us
Office of Engagement & Outreach-Youth & Adult Programs
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Stearns Building │ 2005 Baits Drive │ Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: 734-936-2660
Email: [email protected]
Emails and phone lines are monitored at the following times
Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm EST