YJED Audition - Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage

Audition for the 25-26 YJED Season!

Important dates:

Why Audition for YJED?

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 25 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!

YJED Audition Material

If you are auditioning for ILMEA Senior Jazz, you can submit your ILMEA audition recording as your Audition for YJED as well! (that's right...one recording...two auditions)
- Please remember that this audition recording is first and foremost an audition for ILMEA. Therefore please respect and follow all of their guidelines.
- After you have completed your ILMEA audition, and uploaded it according to ILMEA guidelines, click HERE to complete the YJED Audition & Info form.
If for some reason you are an instrumentalist who does not have access to the ILMEA Audition materials from your High School band director, please refer to this GOOGLE SHEET for all of the 25-26 ILMEA Senior Jazz Audition Information, organized by ILMEA District. Click HERE to visit ILMEA's Instrumental Jazz Homepage for more information.
If you are a Vocalist (for which there is not ILMEA Senior Jazz audition materials), simply record and upload to YouTube a recording of two Jazz Standards of your choice (1 Ballad, and 1 Up-Tempo Swing) to perform.
- You can record yourself singing with either a Pre-Recorded Accompaniment (backing track) or with a Live Rhythm Section. Submit your Audition HERE.

YJED Member Expectations

Attendance is Essential. Absences are excused 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.
To participate in YJED, a tuition fee of $400 is required for all members.
Rehearsals from September-May are Monday 6:30pm-9:00pm at Monroe Middle School (1855 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187). 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.
There is zero tolerance of smoking, drug use or bullying by members.
Members are expected to demonstrate respect toward other members, guest clinicians, and directors.
Parental involvement is strongly encouraged. Volunteer needs can vary from photography, chaperoning, providing media, providing snacks, etc. Any questions may be addressed to Mr. Blazek.