Auditions

WAYJO is widely regarded as Australia’s leading youth jazz orchestra. Since 1983, the organisation has provided inspiration and opportunity to outstanding young jazz musicians from Western Australia and beyond.

In recent years, WAYJO musicians have experienced:

• Performing alongside internationally-acclaimed guest artists Chloe Rowlands (USA), Mariel Bildsten (US trombonist) and Dick Oatts (US saxophonist);
• Performing newly commissioned work by WAYJO alumni Alana Macpherson and Kate Pass;
• Performing and recording WAYJO Composer-in-Residence original music commissions;
• Performing at the Perth International Jazz Festival and York Festival;
• Touring all over regional Western Australia;
• International travel to Japan as part of our Music Exchange Programs;
• Delivery of our Pathway Program workshops, visiting metropolitan, outer-metropolitan and regional schools;
• Performing for audiences in a variety of venues, and for festivals and events across Perth.

Player positions are vacated at the end of each year, with a total of 54 places available within the three bands:

• Catalyst Jazz Orchestra
• Dynamic Jazz Orchestra
• Resonance Jazz Orchestra

Each band consists of: Alto Saxophone (2), Tenor Saxophone (2), Baritone Saxophone (1), Trumpet (4), Trombone (3), Bass Trombone (1), Guitar (1), Bass (1), Piano (1), Drums (1), Vocalist (1).

Location

WA Youth Jazz Orchestra – Maylands Hall, 192 Guildford Road (cnr Eighth Ave), Maylands WA
Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/ZDmBexXtZHr
Close to Public Transport: transperth.wa.gov.au/Journey-Planner

Rehearsal times
Catalyst Jazz Orchestra – on Mondays, 6:15pm-8:30pm
Dynamic Jazz Orchestra – on Tuesdays, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Resonance Jazz Orchestra – on Wednesdays, 6:15pm-9pm

Register to audition for 2027 from 28 Sep – 20 Nov 2026.

This information helps musicians prepare. If you have any questions, please email admin@wayjo.com

1. Auditions are open to musicians aged 14-25 years
2. The 2026 WAYJO Audition Booklet and 2026 WAYJO Video Audition Guidelines provide information about last year’s audition process. 2027 documentation will be available soon.
3. You will need to complete an audition form [coming soon] and then pay and confirm your audition date/time OR video audition.
4. Check your inbox for your Booking Confirmation PDF – email admin@wayjo.com or call WAYJO on (08) 9471 1950 during business hours if you have any problems or questions.

Audition Fee

$50 (excluding booking fee & GST) per audition.
PLEASE NOTE the audition fee payment is required to confirm your audition time and is non-refundable or transferable.

Audition Dates

Auditions were 15 minutes in duration and selected on a first come first served basis.

Auditions will be held on 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th December 2026.

Those unable to audition on your section’s allocated day, were able to submit a video audition instead.

All Auditionees – Set Piece

Everyone will be required to prepare a set piece from sheet music which will be emailed  – details to be confirmed. 

Please ensure you enter your correct email address into the registration form, and email admin@wayjo.com by [date to be set] if you do not receive this.

Saxophone

• The set piece* (as emailed).
• 1 prepared jazz piece (of own choice); with or without backing.
• Chromatic scale from low Bb to high F – up and down; played 2 times, once straight 8th notes and once with swing 8th notes.
• 3 more scales – own choice.
• OPTIONAL: Improvisation over a 12-bar blues (3 chorus in key of own choice with backing track or accompaniment).
• Sight Reading sheet music.

Brass

• The set piece* (as emailed).
• 1 prepared jazz piece (of own choice); with or without backing.
• Trombone Players – F major scale 2 octaves; played 2 times, once straight 8th notes and once with swing 8th notes.
• Trumpet Players – G major scale 2 octaves; played 2 times, once straight 8th notes and once with swing 8th notes.
• 3 more scales – own choice.
• Range – play up Bb major scale as high as you can to show range.
• Play a forte/piano with a crescendo. Hard accent back off on dynamic and then crescendo as loud as you can – to show control. (Trumpet on a G on top space of stave; Trombone on a Bb on top of stave).
• OPTIONAL: Improvisation over a 12-bar blues (3 chorus in key of own choice with backing track or accompaniment).
• Sight Reading sheet music.

Guitar/Piano

• The set piece* (as emailed).
• 1 prepared jazz piece (of own choice); with or without backing.
• 12-bar blues (2 chorus of just comping and 2 chorus of improvisation in key of own choice without a backing track or accompaniment).
• Sight Reading sheet music.

Bass

• The set piece* (as emailed).
• 1 prepared jazz piece (of own choice); with or without backing.
• 12-bar blues (2 chorus of just walking bass line and 2 chorus of improvisation in key of own choice without a backing track or accompaniment).
• Sight Reading sheet music.

Drums

• The set piece* (as emailed).
• 1 prepared piece (of own choice); with or without backing.
• 16 bars of swing time (crotchet = 200);
  16 bars of swing time (crotchet = 120);
  16 bars of swing time (crotchet = 280);
  8 bars of ballad time with brushes (crotchet = 55);
  16 bars of swing time with brushes (crotchet = 200);
  16 bars bossa nova;
  16 bars straight eighth jazz groove (crotchet = 140);
  16 bars funk groove;
  16 bars samba;
  16 bars mambo 2:3 clave.
• 12-bar blues (2 chorus of medium swing time, 1 chorus of improvisation and 1 chorus of time without a backing track or accompaniment).
• Sight Reading sheet music.

Vocalists

• The set piece* (as emailed).
• 2 jazz standards with live accompaniment or backing track. Please do not perform unaccompanied.
• OPTIONAL: 12-bar blues scat solo improvising (2 chorus in a key of your own choice with a backing track or accompaniment).