CURRENT STUDENTS: APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED to the main educational & ensemble program for area music students in grades 8-12. Auditions take place throughout November (with all auditions at Ravenscroft in Scottsdale). VJC Indigo (Tuesday nights) and VJC Cerulean (Thursday nights) begin rehearsing in December. VJC Sapphire (Saturday mornings at MCC) begins rehearsing in January. ​We hope you will consider joining the VJC for its 10th anniversary season in 2025-26!
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​​EDUCATORS: Check out the Flexible Instrumentation Big Band charts from VJC Publications. And listen to this great new music on our YouTube channel. New 2025 charts are being released throughout October/November!
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.
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Please note that 100% of every VJC Publication purchase goes back into supporting the educational activities of the Valley Jazz Cooperative. Also, we now have five Christmas/Holiday big band charts available. Each of them are $10 off through mid-November to help you with your holiday programming! It's our "Martin Special"!
LESSONS AND WORKSHOPS
Lessons
Valley Jazz Cooperative faculty are available to offer private lessons to individual students. Our experienced team of artist-teachers can help music students achieve even greater success in their development. VJC teachers strive to meet each person at their current level of mastery and will tailor one-on-one sessions to address the needs of each individual.
For young musicians eager to work with a private teacher whose primary instrument is not found in the VJC faculty line-up, we can provide recommendations for other outstanding instructors who can meet those students’ needs. Please contact Russell Schmidt for more information about private lessons.
Workshops
In addition to lessons, the Valley Jazz Cooperative is available to support the efforts of jazz band directors and their high school programs through workshops and clinics. Members of our team can work with your groups on various topics including improvisation, stylistic performance practices (i.e., ensemble phrasing and articulation), rhythm section techniques, and other subjects. Our goal is to support your educational efforts with these students, to assist you through the presentation of additional jazz instruction.
Getting help and support from outside sources can be tremendous asset. Given the Valley Jazz Cooperative’s deep connection to Music Serving the Word, teachers can rest assured that any rehearsal critique or workshop comment will be offered with a generous and respectful spirit, appreciating the substantial work done by student and teacher alike prior to the VJC’s arrival in your band room. Please contact the Director of the Valley Jazz Cooperative, Russell Schmidt to explore possible workshop and clinic opportunities.
