Get weekly coaching from local jazz professionals and meet other middle school musicians from across the metro, culminating in a capstone performance at the Holland Center on May 4, 2025. These ensembles provide middle school students the opportunity to improve their jazz performance abilities and interact with area jazz students, professional jazz musicians, and expert clinicians.
Beginner and intermediate ensemble levels are available. A video audition is required to determine placement. Students can individually enroll. Limited scholarships are available.
*Note: The paid Ensemble Class is replacing the Jazz Academy Middle School Ensemble experience previously offered.
Audition information
Beginner Ensemble
This ensemble features a non-standard set of instrumentation and focuses on students developing the foundations of playing the jazz style and improvising. No previous jazz experience is needed to be successful in this ensemble.
Intermediate Ensemble
This ensemble features traditional big band instrumentation and focuses on students applying jazz foundations in both ensemble and improvisational settings. It is for students who already have experience playing jazz and improvising.
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Audition videos must be submitted by Monday, January 27, 2025.
Students will upload their videos as “unlisted” videos to a video sharing platform such as YouTube or Vimeo. Links to each video clip will then be shared as part of the student’s registration.
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Students will be placed into one of two ensembles based on their auditions
Students who complete the Intermediate Ensemble audition will also be for considered for admission into the Beginner Ensemble without completing a separate audition unless otherwise noted on their audition submission.
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Find the complete audition guidelines in the audition packets below.
Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Audition materials
- Beginner Ensemble
- Intermediate Ensemble
- Bb blues backing track
Rehearsal & performance dates
- Rehearsals will be held on Saturdays from February 22–May 3, 2025.
- Please note that there will be no rehearsal on Saturday, March 1, but it will instead be held on Sunday, March 2. There will be no rehearsal on Saturday, March 22.
- The capstone performance takes place Sunday, May 4 at 6:00 PM at the Holland Center.
Any questions or concerns about audition procedures can be directed to Shawn Bell or Taylor Wyatt.
For general questions about the class, contact education@o-pa.org or 402.661.8421.
