CURRENT STUDENTS: With the passing of the final, in-person audition date (on Nov. 26th), we have now reached the end of the "open" audition period for 2024-25 VJC ensembles. However, the application & audition window will remain open only for instruments on which we still have need (within a particular group). Here are the slots that remain open for application/audition...
• VJC Indigo Big Band (Tuesday evenings at Ravenscroft):
No openings at this time.
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• VJC Cerulean Combo (Thursday evenings at Ravenscroft):
No openings at this time.
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• VJC Sapphire Big Band (Saturday mornings at MCC's PAC):
Trumpets (2), Trombone (1), Guitar (1)
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Please reach out to the VJC Director with questions or apply 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. These are exceptional investments for your ensemble library: Great charts to have during your program's robust years...and total lifesavers during the occasional lean years, too. Please give them a look and a listen!
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All new 2024 VJCP releases are $5.00 off through the end of the JEN Conference in January 2025! As a reminder, 100% of each 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.