Congratulations 2025-26 YJED Members
Let's make it a great year!
Saxes/Reeds
Michael Shebar - Alto I Wheaton North
William Sutherland - Alto IIA Dundee-Crown
Graham Pettit - Alto IIB Lisle
Brendan Hill - Tenor I Conant
Ana Fernandez - Tenor IIA Naperville Central
Sanjay Wilson - Bari Naperville Central
Ellie Penavic - Clarinet Downers Grove South
Trumpets
Ethan Oommen (Split Lead) Hersey
Josef Gabriel (Split Lead) Rolling Meadows
Ray Sanders Oswego East
Joe Alstadt Romeoville
Ava Maxwell Oswego
Josmar Teran Dundee-Crown
Trombones
Jeffrey Choate Plainfield North
Adam Fleming Naperville Central
Sara Held Hinsdale Central
Gabriel Velazquez Oswego
Braden Pawlisz (Bass) Oswego
Rhythm
Gael Jimenez - Guitar Fenwick
Roy Koerner - Piano I Oak Park River Forest
Henry Haak - Piano II Naperville North
Kyle Park - Bass Hersey
Damien Roque - Bass Dundee-Crown
Toby Morden - Drums Wheaton Academy
Wesley Miller - Drums Oswego
Alternates
Ryan Cotner - Alto/Tenor Sax Metea Valley
Ivan Diaz - Bari Sax Plainfield East
Brodie Drane - Bass Oswego East
Members calendar
(Details will be added as they are available)
Tues May 6th - Monday May 12th Essentially Ellington
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Band members need to hold open May 6th for travel, May 7-11th for the Competition and Festival, and May 12th for return travel.
Sun May 4th: YJED Essentially Ellington Sendoff Concert with John Wojciechowski
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4:00pm Concert, 2:00pm Call Time
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Attire: Black on black, polo or long sleeve, blue tie
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Concert at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley, IL
Jazz Showcase Performance: Wednesday, March 26th
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6:30-6:45pm- call time
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7:15pm- YJED Set
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8:00pm- Bob Lark Septet (stay for 1st set)
WGN Channel 9 Midday News Performance Friday, April 11th
10:00am- call time
11:20-11:55am- performance live on TV
Noon-dismissal
*Guys wear black suit and blue YJED tie, girls wear nice clothes
*Parking is available in the large lot
Address: 2501 W. Bradley Pl. Chicago 60618
YJED Fundraiser Sponsored by WDCB Radio Station and Two Hound Red Brewing Company in Glen Ellyn
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4-6pm Sunday, April 6th
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10% of receipts proceeds go to the students to offset the trip cost!
(Events Completed)
September 2025: Auditions!
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Information to come - you'll be able to submit your ILMEA audition (you're doing ILMEA...right???) here on our website...and just like that audition for YJED
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If you want to be notified when auditions are opened, go to the Contact tab at the top of the page, and click the link to provide contact information.
Mon Jan 27 8p - Parent & Members meeting
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This meeting IS MANDATORY for members and at least one of their parents!
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Purpose is to provide more detailed information about the NYC Essentially Ellington trip, and all the work that has to happen to make it a success!
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Meeting will follow an abbreviated rehearsal (so Members show up to Monroe at the normal time!)
Sunday January 19th, 2025: YJED with Pharez Whitted
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Call time 2:00pm
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4:00p Performance
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Attire: Black on black, polo or long sleeve, blue tie
Friday, December 6th: Essentially Ellington Recording Session
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4:30-9:00pm at Electrical Audio
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4:30pm call time, 5:00pm sound check, 5:30pm recording session begins
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After the recording session ends, we have the opportunity to watch saxophonist (and YJED band parent!) Shawn Maxwell perform at Andy's Jazz Club!
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Set is from 10:30-11:45pm
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More information will be shared at parent meeting
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Website information for the recording studio can be found here
Monday, November 11th- Rehearsal 6-9pm with Kellin Hanas and Catie Hickey, former YJED members AND outstanding jazz musicians!
Monday, November 18th- Rehearsal 6-9pm with January guest artist Pharez Whitted!
Auditions are open for submission!
Click the "Audition form link" below (in red) to submit your audition recording link (use your ILMEA jazz audition!)
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Auditions will be accepted between now and October 2, 2024.
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Completing the form just takes a few minutes, and all you need do is to submit your ILMEA recording on the YJED form.
Saturday August 31 2024: Chicago Jazz Festival
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Harris Theater Rooftop, 205 E Randolph St. Chicago
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1:30p Call (revised per Mr. B email on 8/24)
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2:25p Performance (until 3:05p)
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Attire: Black on black, polo or long sleeve, no ties or T-shirts
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See Mr. Blazek's 8/24 email for more details!
Sunday June 2 2024 Recording session (Time 12:00)
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Recording session at Transient Sound
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Address: 1803 W Byron, Chicago (near Ashland and Irving Park, (Link to map).
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12:00 noon Call
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12:30pm Sound Check
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1:00-5:00pm Recording session