CURRENT STUDENTS: The main audition cycle for the VJC program (for area music students in grades 8-12) has just concluded. However, there are still a few positions open in the ensembles. We will continue to accept applications from:
1) brass musicians,
2) pianists, and
3) drummers ... until all ensemble slots are filled.
We have just added one, additional audition day on Tuesday, 12/9 (evening) for late applicants. This audition will take place at Ravenscroft in Scottsdale. Please consider joining us by applying and auditioning!
VJC Indigo (Tuesday nights) and VJC Cerulean (Thursday nights) begin rehearsing in mid-December. VJC Sapphire (Saturday mornings at MCC) begins rehearsing in January. ​We hope you will join 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. 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 November to help you with your holiday programming! It's our "Martin Special"! (IYKYK)
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FRIENDS & FANS: We have two VJC Alumni Band events coming up soon, both in Scottsdale. The VJC Alumni Band+ will perform its annual Christmas Concert (Sat., Dec. 20th @ 7 PM in Ravenscroft Hall). And the VJC Alumni Sextet—a.k.a. VJC Azure—makes its debut performance on (Fri., Jan. 9th @ 7 PM in Jazzbird).
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NEW EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH FROM MSW: Hansley Mussotte has recently joined the MSW-Education team to launch a new program in January 2026. Titled the Valley Gospel Project, it is a vocal/choral-focused initiative that will meet on Monday nights at Ravenscroft. Anyone with interest in singing gospel music as part of the Valley Gospel Project can CLICK HERE to learn more.
Please note: This page provides information about the traditional VJC Hang (which will return to the schedule once live, in-person VJC rehearsals can resume). If you want to learn more about the online VJC Zoom Hang (launched in May 2020), please click here.
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At the conclusion of each week’s rehearsal, VJC participants are strongly encouraged to stay for an additional instructional period, called “the Hang”. In that setting, group instruction will be offered for 50-60 minutes on a rotating series of topics. Subjects will include improvisation, theory, and jazz history, with additional topics to be explored based on the needs of program participants.
Guest clinicians sometimes attend these sessions to work with students on specific areas of interest. Similarly, guest artists are occasionally invited to the Hang to perform impromptu jazz concerts and field questions from students about the performances. And it is vitally important that the Hang also be a time for the group to build a stronger sense of community, sharing experiences in and out of music with
one another.
The VJC Hang is open to any music student interested in jazz (grades 8-12, including home-schooled students). Non-VJC ensemble participants must register in advance for every Hang they plan to attend. They also must submit a signed and completed VJC consent/release form at the first Hang they attend each school year. (One completed form is sufficient for the entire academic year.)
Registration ensures sufficient handouts are available each week to those in attendance. It also provides the instructor an opportunity to contact students about changes or cancellations in the Hang schedule (as for term breaks or conflicts with major in-state jazz festivals).
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Please note the online registration deadline for each Hang is 12:00 noon on the day before the session.

