Michigan Youth Jazz Orchestra
Last updated 5/15/23
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
(5/15/23) Make-Up MYJO Auditions Available!
Make-Up Applications for MYJO’s 2023-2024 Season are now available! Information on make-up auditions can be found in the “Auditions | Eligibility” section below. Questions? Contact the Office of Engagement & Outreach at smtd-youthandadult@umich.edu.
Make-Up Auditions are currently being accepted on the following instruments:
- Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar, Drum Set
Additional instruments may potentially be announced for make-up auditions in early June, 2023.
Rehearsal Information
Time: Sundays, 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Location: Cady Room
Frederick Stearns Building
(U-M North Campus, 2005 Baits Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109)
Season Schedule
*This is a tentative schedule that closely resembles the time commitment students can expect during the MYE Season. A finalized schedule will be posted in May 2023.
Faculty
CONDUCTOR/FACULTY DIRETOR – 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 Auditions for Michigan Youth Jazz Orchestra’s 2023-2024 Season are due
5:00 P.M. SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2023
Make-Up Auditions are currently being accepted on the following instruments:
Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar, Drum Set
Additional instruments may potentially be announced for make-up auditions in early June, 2023.
2023-2024 MICHIGAN YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Complete the 2023-2024 Michigan Youth Ensembles Application via the button below.
- Upload a video recording of the required materials for your instrument listed below.
- Pay the non-refundable $30 application fee. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on financial need (contact Engagement & Outreach Staff for more information).
Specific audition requirements for each instrument are listed below:
ALL INSTRUMENTS (Excluding piano, guitar, bass and drums)
- Seven major scales of your choice (seven different keys)
- Three harmonic and/or melodic minor scales of your choice using eighth notes (quarter = 120)
- Perform a melody (head) AND improvised solo to either a blues, rhythm changes, or standard jazz tune, with a live combo
- Compose and play your own created solo on the song “Lady Bird”. Please download a pdf file of “Lady Bird” in your instrument’s key
PIANO, GUITAR, BASS
- Walk a bass line or comp chords for an F or Bb blues, either with a combo or play-a-long recording
- Improvise a solo to either a blues, rhythm changes, or standard jazz tune, with a live combo
- Compose and play your own created solo on the song “Lady Bird”. Please download a pdf file of “Lady Bird” in your instrument’s key
Note: Rhythm section players must be able to read the appropriate clefs for their instruments.
DRUMS
Prepare pieces that demonstrate the following styles:
- Swing (sticks and brushes)
- Bossa nova
- Samba
- Ballad
ELIGIBILITY
Students interested in the Michigan Youth Jazz Orchestra must be enrolled in grades 9 (nine) through 12 (twelve) for the 2023-2024 academic year. The Michigan Youth Jazz Orchestra is also open to students of exceptional ability enrolled in grade 8 (eight) for the 2023-2024 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 smtd-youthandadult@umich.edu.
Tuition | Fees | Scholarships
Participant – $500.00
Non-refundable application fee – $30
A discounted tuition rate of $330.00 per additional ensemble is available for musicians who participate in multiple ensembles. This discount is applied to the ensemble of equal or lesser value.
NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or under in the previous calendar year, or with special circumstances due to the pandemic. 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
REFUND POLICY
Full refunds of MYE tuition are only available before the first regularly scheduled rehearsal of the current concert season. Those wishing to learn more about the MYE Refund Policy can do so by clicking here: SMTD Engagement and Outreach refund policy
Contact Us
Email at smtd-youthandadult@umich.edu
Phone at (734) 936-2660
The Engagement & Outreach Staff monitors emails / phone lines at the following times:
- Monday – Friday, 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. EST