Under the direction of Andy Clausen, the New York Youth Symphony Jazz Band 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 at the NYYS offices, located at 110 West 40th Street, New York, NY.
Throughout the season, rehearsals are augmented by masterclass clinics with some of today’s most eminent jazz professionals.
NYYS Jazz performs in New York City’s finest jazz venues including Birdland, The Times Center, and Dizzy’s Club and the Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center. These performances have featured renowned soloists including 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, Lew Soloff, and Frank Wess, giving students a chance to play alongside today’s most exciting professional musicians.
Applicants should review the guidelines on this page to make sure that they can fulfill the commitment to the program before applying.
You can view and download the audition excerpts here.
Jazz auditions will be held on September 28th, 29th & October 1st at the NYYS offices at 110 West 40th Street, New York, NY. All auditions will be held in-person, however, if you are not in the NYC area at the time of the auditions, please contact the NYYS office to schedule a virtual audition, which will be granted on a limited basis.
New York Youth Symphony serves students between the ages of 12 and 22. In order to participate in the 2022/2023 season, the applicant's birth date must be no earlier than May 28, 2000 and no later than November 20, 2010, inclusive. Please do not apply if your birth date falls outside of these dates as you will not be eligible for the program and we are not able to refund your application fee.
Students are required to be vaccinated and boosted with an FDA-authorized vaccine to participate in our programs.
Registration fees for the 2022/23 season are as follows:
Jazz: $95
The NYYS recognizes that the cost of application and registration fees may be prohibitive for some students, and that access to technology may be a barrier to participation. Financial aid, application fee waivers, work-study, and technology funds are available to help offset these expenses. Financial need is the major consideration when awarding assistance. We ask that students seek funding through their personal networks in addition to completing the financial aid application as funds are limited. The application for financial assistance is within the main application.
NYYS Jazz will rehearse on Sundays at the NYYS offices at 110 West 40th Street, New York, NY.
Throughout the season, rehearsals are augmented by masterclass clinics with some of today's most eminent jazz professionals.
NYYS Jazz 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.
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
