2023 WAYJO Assistant Music Director Applications Open
Applications extended until Friday 2 December, 2022 - 12.00pm AWST
Proudly supported by the Simon Lee Foundation, the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) Assistant Musical Director program annually offers a mentoring traineeship for a young and emerging musical director.
The program is a unique opportunity to develop skills in conducting a large orchestral band, programming repertoire for an 18-piece big band, and developing the leadership skills required to inspire and enhance the skills and experience of young band members.
Experienced, music reading musicians aged 18 to 35 years during 2023 are invited to apply for this position, which runs at the WAYJO studio in Maylands, Western Australia.
Applications for 2023 WAYJO Assistant Musical Director open 9.00am, Monday 10 October, and close 5.00pm, Monday 28 November, 2022.
Head to wayjo.com/assistant-musical-director for details and application form – there is no cost to apply for this opportunity.

“Training under the MD’s Ricki, Marty, and Mace has been an invaluable experience, which I have tapped into when working with my own bands and projects.
I’ve mostly enjoyed getting to know everyone throughout the year. After months of working and playing together, there’s a real sense of kinship between all the band members and staff alike.
Being a part of WAYJO and building connections with the team (MD’s, office staff, current members, and alumni) has opened up so many exciting career and musical opportunities for me.
I can’t imagine where my path would have led without WAYJO, and I hope to work here again in the future.”
Tom Salleo – 2022 WAYJO Assistant Musical Director
Photograph of Tom Salleo by Josh Wells (2022).
2022 WAYJO Assistant Musical Director Appointment
The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) is proud to announce Tom Salleo has been appointed Associate Music Director for 2022, commencing in February.
WAYJO General Manager Monique Douglas states "It is with great pride that WAYJO welcomes Tom this year as our Assistant Music Director. Tom brings his unique experience to our Orchestras and we look forward to the knowledge and skill he will contribute to WAYJO this year."
Proudly supported by the Simon Lee Foundation, WAYJO’s Assistant Music Director (AMD) program annually offers a mentoring traineeship to an emerging Musical Director under the age of 35. A rare opportunity for emerging band leaders to develop skills in conducting a large band, the program also covers music library, repertoire programming for an 18-piece big band, while developing leadership skills required to inspire and enhance band member’s skills and experience.
WAYJO’s Artistic Director Dr Mace Francis selected Tom after a two-month public call-out and rigorous selection process. “Tom is a hardworking and conscientious young musician and composer. His calm and considerate manner in front of the band will be well received, and I know he will be able to get some great music out of the bands. I am looking forward to working with Tom and seeing what he can contribute to the organisation.”
Tom, who has experience as an instrumentalist, educator and composer, is also musical director of Hills Big Band and Swingshift Big Band. “After many years being part of the WAYJO community, I am thrilled to be working alongside WAYJO as Assistant Musical Director in 2022. I look forward to making great music and sharing the stage with the brightest young musicians of our generation. Thanks to WAYJO for offering me this incredible opportunity” states Tom.
WAYJO sincerely welcomes the new addition to its small team, and look forward to working with the director in training throughout the 2022 season, launching Sunday 20 March at Lyric Lane in Maylands.
Applications for 2023 WAYJO Assistant Musical Director open in October. Head to wayjo.com for a WAYJO eNews subscription to stay informed on upcoming opportunities within WAYJO’s orchestras, pathway ensembles, and the organisation.

Hashtags: #WAYJO2022 #WAYJOamd #MusicTraineeship
WAYJO thanks continuing Government Partner, the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries, Lotterywest, Principal Partner North West Shelf Gas, Major Programs Partner Minderoo Foundation, MinterEllison Monday Night Orchestra Naming Rights Partner, St John of God Health Care Tuesday Night Orchestra Naming Rights Partner, and Healthway Act Belong Commit.
Contacts
Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
Dr Mace Francis
WAYJO Artistic Director
mace.francis@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
2022 WAYJO Assistant Music Director Applications Open
Proudly supported by the Simon Lee Foundation, the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) Assistant Music Director program offers a 12-month paid mentoring traineeship for a young and emerging musical director.
The program offers the opportunity to develop skills in conducting a large orchestral band, programming repertoire for an 18-piece big band, and developing the leadership skills required to inspire and enhance the skills and experience of band members.
Experienced, music reading musicians aged 18 to 35 years during 2022 are invited to apply for this position, which runs January to December at the WAYJO studio in Maylands, Western Australia.
Applications for 2022 WAYJO Assistant Musical Director open 9.00am, Monday 4 October, and have now been extended until 5.00pm Wednesday 1 December, 2021.
Head to wayjo.com/get-involved/assistant-musical-director for details and the application form – it is free to apply for this opportunity.

“My time in the role of Assistant Music Director at WAYJO has definitely given me a different perspective (both literally and figuratively) of playing with a large ensemble, and all the insights, tips and tricks, and knowledge gained from the other musical directors and musicians are things that I have already started applying in my own musical career. As a direct result of this position, I can see the idea of becoming a bandleader in some capacity more of an attainable goal.”
Christopher Musitano – 2020-21 WAYJO Assistant Musical Director
Photograph 2021 WAYJO Season Launch by Josh Wells.