Under the direction of Michael Thomas, the New York Youth Symphony Jazz is a 17-member swing ensemble dedicated to studying, rehearsing, and performing classic big band jazz music. Modeled on the bands of the 1930’s and 1940’s, the Jazz program preserves this heritage and, keeping with jazz traditions, incorporates it into the current and emerging styles that define the genre for the present generation.
NYYS Jazz will rehearse on Sundays from 6-8PM at the NYYS Office at 110 West 40th Street, New York, NY.
The band performs in New York City’s finest jazz venues, including Birdland, The Times Center, Dizzy’s Club and the Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Throughout the season, rehearsals are augmented by masterclass clinics with some of today’s most eminent jazz professionals. Previous guest artists have included Arturo O’Farrill, Wycliffe Gordon, Stefon Harris, Ted Nash, Maria Schneider, Jane Monheit, Joe Lovano, Steve Turre, Victor Goines, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Joe Locke, Eric Reed, and Lew Soloff.
Applicants should review the guidelines on this page to make sure that they can fulfill the commitment to the program before applying.
Below you will find the excerpts to download for your audition. Please prepare all excerpts in the package.
CLICK AN INSTRUMENT TO DOWNLOAD AUDITION PACKET
Donate today and help support our students continue their journey and become a part of our community of musicians and change the landscape of what the musical world look like today.
DonateExperience all the hard work, practice and rehearsals that our students take on and show up to see them perform at one of our many concerts throughout the season.
Get TicketsTake the plunge and give yourself an opportunity to become a part of our amazing community of musicians, songwriters, composers and conductors.
Enroll Today