CURRENT STUDENTS: The main educational and ensemble program for area music students in grades 8-12 is concluded until November 2025 (when auditions take place) and December 2025 (when rehearsals resume). But in the meantime, check out our first-ever summer instructional offering: the VJC Summer Youth Camp — Jazz Writing Skills, focusing on jazz composition & arranging, slated for June 23–27, 10 AM to 3 PM each day. (Offered free of charge to VJC program participants and alums! Also, the enrollment fee for non-VJCers is very modest!)
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PROGRAM ALUMS: In addition to the Jazz Camp mentioned above (offered free of charge to alums, too), we look forward to presenting the VJC Alumni Band concert on Saturday, June 28th @ 7:00 p.m. in Ravenscroft Hall. If you aren't playing on it, still come out to hear it, reconnect with some old friends, and make some new ones!
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FRIENDS & FANS: While the main program has concluded, the VJC Alumni Band is still to come, with a concert in Ravenscroft Hall on Saturday, June 28th @ 7:00 p.m. Learn more about that show—and purchase tickets—HERE.
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​​EDUCATORS: Check out the Flexible Instrumentation Big Band charts from VJC Publications. And hear this great new music on our YouTube channel. VJC Publications offers flex. charts that don't compromise. ​Please note that 100% of every VJC Publication purchase goes back into supporting the educational activities of the Valley Jazz Cooperative.
AUDITION MATERIALS
Below please find audition packets for alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, guitar, piano, bass, and drums. Each downloadable PDF file contains materials suitable for either combo or big band auditions. For younger or more novice music students who might find portions of these materials too difficult to prepare, don’t let that stop you from auditioning. Just strive to play whatever you can and demonstrate your own unique gifts.
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Please note there are two alternative option to these PDF files available to all students auditioning for VJC big bands in November/December each year:
1) Anyone trying out for AZ All-State Jazz Ensembles may substitute those audition materials (provided by ABODA) for the VJC audition packet. Please let us know in advance if you want to use those materials (usually a packet of four etudes by jazz composer Mike Tomaro) instead of the VJC packet. Thank you.
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2) For less experienced student musicians (perhaps 8th or 9th graders, or maybe older HS students who are still new to jazz), you are welcome to bring representative music from your junior high school or high school music program—ideally, things you are currently working on in your school ensembles—and perform that as your audition.
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The bottom line? We would much prefer that you audition for the VJC, so that we can work with you and help you continue to grow, rather than have you decline to audition for us because the audition materials seem too difficult. PLEASE JOIN US and know that we strive to meet players where they are before we start our real work: growing together as young, creative musicians and growing together as people.
Play-Alongs
Below are play-along files intended for use with VJC combo audition pieces.