FRIENDS & FANS: Our final concert of the 2025-26 season is on Sat., June 27th @ 7 PM, in Ravenscroft Hall, for the VJC Alumni Band Summer Celebration. Come join us for a very special event.
NEW EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH FROM MSW: Hansley Mussotte joined the MSW team in late 2025, and launched a new educational outreach program in February 2026. Titled the Valley Gospel Project, it is a vocal/choral-focused initiative that has been rehearsing on Monday nights at Ravenscroft. The VGP offers its Debut Concert on Thurs., May 7th @ 7 PM in Ravenscroft Hall. Please come check them out! (VJC Azure will be putting in a cameo appearance that evening, too!)
EDUCATORS: Check out the Flexible Instrumentation Big Band charts from VJC Publications. And listen to this great new music on our YouTube channel. VJC Publications offers flex. charts without compromise, designed to sound great—and complete—with just the minimum instrumentation (11 pieces). And of course, they sound truly spectacular with a full, 18-piece big band. Given the unpredictable nature of band program size from year to year, VJC Publications represents a great investment for any music library. And 100% of every VJC Publication purchase goes back into supporting the educational activities of the Valley Jazz Cooperative.
WELCOME!
Through its various performing ensembles, supported by guest artist clinics, online instruction, and additional educational opportunities, the Valley Jazz Cooperative offers music students a uniquely valuable experience. While the ensemble programs are a focal point for VJC instruction, the principal goal is to help each individual explore and develop their awesome potential as creative beings through the medium of jazz and the art of improvisation.
Since its founding in 2016, the VJC has diversified into other areas that are adjacent to its principal focus: the continued development of creativity and expression within young musicians through improvisation and ensemble participation. Among the ways in which the Valley Jazz Cooperative banner has grown:
• VJC Publications provides jazz educators and performers with access to exceptional educational- and professional-market music, including remarkable big band charts that effectively and convincingly feature flexible instrumentation. "Flex." charts are an absolute necessity in music educators' libraries now more than ever.
• The VJC's YouTube channel features past ensemble performances (both live and virtual), educational tutorials, and recordings of big band releases from VJC Publications.
• The VJC also offers supplemental resources to students and educators through our free educational downloads,
• The VJC Instagram account and the VJC Facebook page each provide updates on Valley Jazz Cooperative educational and performance activities and offer photo galleries from student performances.
• Launched in 2022, the VJC Alumni Band has quickly become an anchor in our annual calendar, and has proven a tremendously successful endeavor, both musically and socially, allowing the VJC community to stay connected long after one's high school years have concluded.
• Through its college scholarship program, the VJC supports outstanding program alums in their post-secondary education.
• The VJC Q&T podcast offers valuable insights from leading artist-teachers, as well as other creatives.
VJC programs are offered free of charge to eligible, committed, passionate music students (grades 8-12, from the Phoenix area), following a successful placement audition. In-person instruction for VJC programs takes place in Ravenscroft, a premier music performance venue in Scottsdale, as well as on the campus of Mesa Community College. To learn more about our VJC programs (and how to apply/audition), please click below.
Explore your gifts. Find your passion.
Program Status
The Valley Jazz Cooperative provides in-person instruction on Tuesday & Thursday evenings in Ravenscroft, a performing arts facility in Scottsdale, and on Saturday mornings at Mesa Community College. Following November auditions, the VJC runs from December to mid-May each school year. The VJC is offered free of charge to area music students in grades 8 thru 12 (following a successful placement audition).
Additionally, the VJC Alumni Band has grown into a vibrant, community-affirming component within the greater VJC. CLICK HERE to learn more about the Alumni group.
Audition Information
The VJC will resume its main educational program (for students in grades 8-12) with auditions in November. Keep checking here in late summer/early fall for program updates, including news on the next Director of the Valley Jazz Cooperative!
Learn more about VJC ensembles by CLICKING HERE. And apply online by CLICKING HERE.
For Valley Jazz Cooperative alums who want to apply online specifically for the VJC Alumni Band program, please CLICK HERE.