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!
​​​
​​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.
​​
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)
​
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).
​
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.
ABOUT the VJC Zoom Hang
To encourage meaningful social contact during this time of separation, the Valley Jazz Cooperative has developed opportunities for groups of VJC students—and program alums—to meet through Zoom. These online Hangs are intended to be more social in nature and are not focused on traditional music education. (Educational opportunities for VJC students will continue to be offered through one-on-one Zoom lessons and programs dedicated to special topics.)
​
Launched during the first week of May 2020
VJC Zoom Hangs meet weekly on Saturdays and twice a month on Wednesdays, following this format:
​
Saturday Social – Each Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., any interested VJC students and program alums will meet through Zoom simply to reconnect, catch up, and talk about music, current events, or anything else that springs to mind.
Midweek Musicale – On the first and third Wednesday of each month, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., any interested VJC students and program alums will have Zoom meetings to listen to and talk about music together. There will be themes for most Wednesdays (such as film music or fusion & electroacoustic jazz or the exploration of a single, historically-significant album), but the discussions will develop and flow freely.
​
VJC Director Russell Schmidt will be on hand to moderate VJC Zoom Hangs and support student discussions. Current and former VJCers are encouraged to join in; alums may need to contact Russ to get a Zoom link for each session.
​
​
Please note: This page provides information about the online Hang offered through Zoom. If you are interested in learning more about the traditional VJC Hang (which will return to the schedule once live, in-person VJC rehearsals can resume), please click here.
​
LOOKING FOR FALL
2020 JAZZ EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERING ONLINE INSTRUCTION?
CHECK BACK SOON FOR MORE
INFORMATION REGARDING
VARIOUS, UPCOMING
VJC ONLINE PROGRAMs.

