2023 Christchurch Youth Jazz Orchestra

Auditions are open!

The Christchurch Youth Jazz Orchestra is again being formed in 2023!  In partnership with the Christchurch Big Band Festival, this amazing auditioned band of top school-aged players will take part in the Hanmer band camp and performances at the Christchurch Big Band Festival.

Auditions:  Auditions for all players will be by online submissions in July/August with the band announced and music distributed at the beginning of September.  

Rehearsals: The band camp will be held on 1-3 October at Hanmer Springs with two days of rehearsals led by some of Christchurch’s top jazz tutors culminating in a performance in the final day. Accommodation in Hanmer will be available on Sunday 1 October and Monday 2 October.  An additional rehearsal will be held on the Tuesday 17th October at Ara.  All band members must be available to attend the band camp and the rehearsal.

Performances: Performances will include Tuesday 3 October in Hanmer, and performances over Labour weekend at the Christchurch for the Big Band Festival.  All band members must be available to attend all performances.

Cost: The cost to participants of the band camp will be approximately $250 with subsidies available.  The fee covers transport to/from and around Hanmer, accommodation, food and one entry to the Hot Pools.  This project is made possible by the generous funding from the Christchurch Big Band Festival and sponsorship from Te Pūkenga and Hanmer Music and Arts. 

Auditions: Auditions are by online submission for all players and are now open!  The attached google drive folder includes the sheet music for "Down Basie Street" and a blues in Bb backing track and lead sheet.   

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/112fp5DNASmQexOPhAWG6ch4E2VsC0EmT

Students need to record themselves playing their preferred part of "Down Basie Street" and a two chorus improvised solo over the Blues in Bb using the MP3 as a backing track  and email the recordings to lana@bigbandfest.org.nz or add to this  file request dropbox link   (make sure your file name has your own name in it!)  

Important Dates:

1st July - Auditions open

6 August - Auditions close

1 October - 3 October - Hanmer Springs Camp and performance

17th October - rehearsal

19 October - Fat Eddie’s Performance Thursday night with AGBB (Christchurch Big Band Festival)

23 October - Big Band Picnic at the Botanic Gardens (Christchurch Big Band Festival)

Please fill in this form as part of your application:

Judith Bell 027 2322912

Lana Law 021 566 724