Why Audition for YJED?

• If you are auditioning for ILMEA Senior Jazz (which we wholeheartedly recommend!), the same materials are used to audition for YJED!  You may already be ready!

• If you are accepted...

  • You will play with top high school jazz talent from 20+ high schools in DuPage county and surrounding areas.  You will grow faster as a musician, and that will help you be a stronger leader in your own high school bands!

  • You will play high-level jazz ensemble music that you otherwise might not have had the opportunity to play...both in concert and in an annual studio recording.

  • You will follow in a 20 year tradition.  Whether you pursue a professional music career, continue to play for fun, or even just listen knowledgeably to jazz, your time in YJED will carry on with you long after your last recording session!

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Instrumentalists audition material 2019-20 :

• Perform 2019-20 ILMEA audition chart "Out The Window"’ by Adam Larson

  • Listen to and follow the score to "Out The Window" here. 

  • Check with your school's band director for individual parts for your audition (or your school's band website may have them).

• Perform your school’s 2019-20 Senior Jazz ILMEA Jim Snidero Etude (it will vary by ILMEA district, see www.ilmea.org for details).

• Sight reading

• By instrument, also demonstrate ability to:

  • (Saxophone/Trumpet/Trombone) Improvise on “F Blues.” More advanced improvisers are welcome to also improvise on “Bb Rhythm” changes.

  • (Piano) “Comp” on “F Blues” and “Bb Rhythm” changes.

  • (Guitar) Read or create a “comping pattern” for a Bossa Nova.

  • (Bass) Walk a bass line through an “F blues” and a “Bb Rhythm” changes. Also create bass lines for Latin (Samba, Bossa Nova) and funk grooves.

  • (Drums) Play Swing, Latin (Samba and Bossa Nova), and funk.

  • Note: Links for F Blues above from ILMEA website

 

Vocalists audition material 2019-20:

• Bring two jazz standards of your choice to perform. You can bring a pre-recorded accompaniment or sing with a live rhythm section (you must bring lead sheets, we will provide the rhythm section).

YJED Member Expectations

• Attendance is essential. Absences are executed if the director is notified 24 hours in advance of non-attendance. YJED members may be replaced due to multiple unexcused absences or at the discretion of the director

• Rehearsals from November-May are Monday 6:30pm-8:30pm at Monroe Middle School in Wheaton.  Additional rehearsals may be scheduled as required by the performance schedule.

• Members are expected to learn the music outside of rehearsal and to come prepared. Rehearsal is not "practice your parts" time.

• A financial commitment will be determined and communicated at the time of audition, to pay for rehearsal space rental, music acquisition, and other costs.

• There is zero tolerance of smoking and drug use by members.

• Members are expected to demonstrate respect toward other members, guest clinicians, and directors.

• Parental involvement is strongly encouraged. The needs can vary from photography, chaperoning, providing media or providing snacks. Questions may be addressed to Mr. Blazek.