2023 WAYJO Assistant Music Director Applications Open
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).
2023 WAYJO Band Auditions Open
2023 WAYJO Band Audition registrations open Monday 19 September for people wishing to participate in the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) in the coming year. Musicians interested in learning jazz performance and improvised big band music, aged 14-25 and able to rehearse in Perth during 2023, are encouraged to apply.
Positions in each of the three big bands are auditioned every year, offering the opportunity to perform at some of Perth’s best venues, work with top band leaders and touring guest artists, plus travel regionally, nationally and internationally. WAYJO also annually commissions original big band works, trains band leaders, and runs pathway educational programs.
A total of fifty-four places are available within three big bands – the MinterEllison Monday, St John of God Health Care Tuesday, and WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestras. All three 18-piece bands each audition for Saxophones (2x Alto, 2x Tenor & 1x Baritone), 4x Trumpets, Trombones (3x Tenor & 1x Bass), 1x Guitar, 1x Bass, 1x Piano, 1x Drum Kit, plus 1x Vocalist.
Running the first two weekends in December, auditions are allocated on a first come first served basis. Aspiring band members are encouraged to register early, as places sold out in previous years.
Auditions and band rehearsals are held at WAYJO’s rehearsal studio in the historic Maylands Hall, located corner Eighth Avenue and Guildford Road. Musicians who cannot attend the December dates can apply through video audition.
At the forefront of forging professional, contemporary big band, ensemble and solo jazz artists since 1983, WAYJO’s impressive alumni includes international jazz luminaries Linda May Han Oh, Dane Alderson, Troy Roberts and Mat Jodrell.
WAYJO celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2023 by continuing to build the future of Australian jazz through outstanding emerging jazz performer, composer and band leader opportunities.
Registrations for 2023 WAYJO Band Auditions close 5.00pm, Friday 18 November only if not filled prior. Visit wayjo.com/audition for all requirements and registration link, but don’t delay if you want to come and play!
WAYJO 2022 Brubeck Jazz Summit Scholarship
The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) are proud to announce Wednesday Night Orchestra members Cass Evans-Ocharern (bass) and Bob Tweedie (keyboard) were selected as this year’s recipients of the 2022 Brubeck Jazz Summit Scholarship. Joined by musical chaperone and WAYJO board member Kate Pass, they travelled to Sierra Nevada University, North Lake Tahoe July 10 to 16 for the annual United States jazz performance intensive.
“We had an amazing week at the Brubeck Jazz Summit in beautiful Lake Tahoe. It was an invaluable experience getting to hang out with and learn from some of the best jazz musicians in the world right now” comments Kate. “It was wonderful to see Cass and Bob thrive within the cohort, bringing a mature musical outlook, ensemble skills and etiquette, and of course a sense of humour!”
Cass says “The Brubeck Jazz Summit was an absolutely incredible experience. It was surreal to fly across the world because of Jazz. We had the amazing opportunity to work under some of the best Jazz musicians in the world, such as Chad LB, Connie Han, Rodney Whitaker, Sean Jones, Gilad Hekselman, and Eric Harland. We were able to work with each faculty member in ensembles, learn from their Masterclasses and also watched them perform with Dave Brubeck's son's, Chris and Dan Brubeck.”
“We also had the absolute pleasure of meeting other like-minded, young Jazz musicians from not only all over America, but also the UK! It was so lovely to make new friends from such different backgrounds and I am looking forward to seeing where each student goes in their career.”
"I am so fortunate to have had such an incredible opportunity because of WAYJO and Classical Tahoe. It was an absolutely amazing learning experience and I am so thankful to have gone.”
Brubeck Jazz Summit is a one-week intensive jazz performance training program offered to thirty selected students from throughout the world. It offers the unparalleled opportunity to workshop with Brubeck Institute faculty, guest artists and master teachers as the living legacy of the musician and international statesman, Dave Brubeck.
The Brubeck Jazz Summit accepts annual online applications from highly motivated students. More information about the program is online at davebrubeck.com/brubeck-living-legacy
Hashtags: #WAYJO2022 #BrubeckJazzSummit
Contact:
Justine Thornley WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
2022 WAYJO Pathways Education Semester Two
WAYJO’s Act Belong Commit Pathways Program offers a chance to explore jazz music, or learn more about auditioning for the band. There are two audition-free, inclusive workshops available in semester two for aspiring young musicians are now open for registrations;
- WAYJO Northern Corridor (NC) is a training orchestra for high school students wishing to extend themselves through learning how to read and play various styles of music. It is held Tuesday evenings at St Stephens in Duncraig with a performance in their theatre in September.
Semester 2 registrations open 9.00am Monday 27th June, and close Thursday 21st July, 2022.
- WAYJO Club is an exciting opportunity for aspiring instrumentalists and vocalists, aged 12-18 years, to learn about and participate in jazz music making with WAYJO in a social and inclusive setting. WAYJO Club is open to all young musicians with a basic understanding of music.
Semester 2 registrations open Tuesday 28th June, and close 5.00pm Tuesday 26th July, 2022.
Head to wayjo.com/education for more information and registration details.
WAYJO’s Pathways Education Program is supported by Healthway promoting the Act Belong Commit message, and our Major Partner Minderoo Foundation.
Photograph by Adrian Hicks.
2022 WAYJO Composer Residencies Announced
Now entering its fifteenth year, the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) Composer in Residence program is proud to announce its recipients for 2022.
Congratulations 24-year-old Composer in Residence Thomas Voss (SA), and 21-year-old Associate Composer Bob Tweedie (WA).
“We were again pleasantly surprised at the quality of applications this year for the 2022 Composer in Residence” states WAYJO Artistic Director, Dr Mace Francis. “Thomas showed us exceptional big band craft and mature writing. Bob showed us interesting and exciting compositional ideas that I am excited to see transferred to big band format. This is an exciting year for this project and I am looking forward to hearing and seeing the results.”
Thomas Voss is an Adelaide-based trombonist and composer/arranger who performs with and writes for a variety of local ensembles, including his own septet and big band. Thomas was selected as the lead trombonist for the 2021 and 2022 Australian National Jazz Orchestra Youth Big Bands, has performed in Adelaide’s 2019 International Jazz Day concert, and was the JazzSA Superbands 2019 Composer in Residence, also serving as the program’s coordinator since 2021. Thomas also won the 2017 Carl Fontana Jazz Trombone Competition, and was a finalist in the 2017 James Morrison Scholarship.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as the 2022 WAYJO Composer-in-Residence, and very excited to have the opportunity to work with a program that has helped to train and advance so many fine musicians” says Thomas.
Bob Tweedie (WAYJO Member 2018-2022) is an enthusiastic young piano player who loves to play many kinds of music, but especially jazz. He is a graduating student of the WAAPA jazz course (Hons), teaches both privately and part-time at Santa Maria College, and keyboardist in WAYJO’s Wednesday Night Orchestra (WNO). Currently dabbling in synthesisers and electronics, Bob plays with local bands such as Ken Paolo and the Space Cadets, and Residents’ Club. Some notable performances include being featured at the 2021 Perth International Jazz Festival with Sam Forster, as well as alongside some of Perth’s best pianists at the Ellington Jazz Club’s Solo Piano Showcase.
“It’s a privilege to be able to work with WAYJO, an organisation that provides such high-quality opportunities to developing musicians. WAYJO has been one of the core pillars in Perth jazz community for many decades, and acted as a transition for amateur musicians to become professional gigging musicians” states Bob.
The WNO will record these exciting new works July at Loop Studios in West Perth. Applications for the WAYJO’s 2023 composer in residence program will open early next year. For more information, visit wayjo.com/composer-in-residence
Hashtags: #WAYJO2022 #WAYJOcir
Contacts
Mace Francis WAYJO Artistic Director
mace.francis@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
Justine Thornley WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
2022 WAYJO Pathways Education and Composer in Residence Programs Open
WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) returns for 2022 with four fantastic opportunities for young West Australian musicians.
WAYJO’s Act Belong Commit Pathways Program offers a chance to explore jazz music, or learn more about auditioning for the band. Three audition-free, inclusive workshops for aspiring young musicians are now open for registrations;
- WAYJO Northern Corridor (NC) is a training orchestra for high school students wishing to extend themselves through learning how to read and play various styles of music. It is held Tuesday evenings at St Stephens in Duncraig with a performance in their theatre in September. Registrations for Semester One close Monday 7 February, 9.00am.
- WAYJO Club is an exciting opportunity for aspiring instrumentalists and vocalists, aged 12-18 years, to learn about and participate in jazz music making with WAYJO in a social and inclusive setting. WAYJO Club is open to all young musicians with a basic understanding of music. It runs semester one and two, with a discount offered for participation both semesters. Registrations close Tuesday 22 February, 5.00pm.
- Young Women in Jazz is an 8-week workshop program open to female identifying instrumentalists aged 14-25 who have an interest in exploring jazz and improvised music in a like-minded, judgement-free space. Registrations close Monday 11 April, 5.00pm.
WAYJO’s Pathways Education Program is supported by Healthway promoting the Act Belong Commit message, and our Major Partner Minderoo Foundation. Head to wayjo.com/education for more information and registration details.
WAYJO's Composer in Residence Program is also open for applications, supporting two emerging composers to develop new works for a large jazz ensemble with generous commission fees, artistic mentorship, and professional recordings of the new works. Applications for both positions close Tuesday 1 March, 5.00pm;
- Composer in Residence is open to any composer aged 30 years or younger (as at 1st January 2022), residing in Australia, offering $2,000 for two original big band works.
- Associate Composer in Residence is open to any jazz composer aged 21 years or younger (as at 1st January 2022), residing in Western Australia, offering $1,200 for two original big band works.
Head to wayjo.com/get-involved/composer-in-residence for more information and to apply.
With so many opportunities on offer for young musicians, WAYJO's 2022 season promises to offer something for both jazz aficionados and those new to the genre. Stay tuned to wayjo.com for more details soon, as the season program launches Sunday 20 March at Lyric Lane in Maylands.
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 Healthcare Tuesday Night Orchestra Naming Rights Partner, and Healthway Act Belong Commit.
Photograph by Adrian Hicks.
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.
WAYJO NC - A New Training Band in Perth's Northern Suburbs
The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra is coming to Perth’s Northern Corridor to develop young musicians who have an interest in playing jazz and contemporary music styles on their instrument.
WAYJO NC is a new training orchestra for high school students wishing to extend themselves and learn how to read and play various styles of music including jazz, funk, latin and rock.
Rehearsals will be in big band format, and involve learning phrasing, articulation and other basic improvisational techniques.
Included with regular rehearsals will be masterclasses, demonstrations, and mentoring from current WAYJO Members, WAAPA Students, plus experienced WAYJO Alumni.
Eligibility: School students Years 7 to 12 – no audition required.
Instruments: Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Guitar (limited places), Bass, Piano and Drums.
When: Tuesday evenings 6.30pm to 8.00pm, July 20 to September 21, 2021 (Term 3).
Location: St Stephen’s Music Department – Duncraig Campus (West of Hepburn Ave Freeway Exit) 100 Doveridge Drive Duncraig WA 6023.
Cost: $120 per Term (plus $7.69 booking fee).
Questions: For more information please visit wayjo.com – email admin@wayjo.com – or call (08) 9471 1950 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
WAYJO is an equal opportunity organisation – we support diversity and encourage all interested musicians to apply.
Registrations open 9.00am Monday 5 July and will close when all places are filled, or Monday 19 July at 5.00pm (whichever occurs first). With only 20 places available, you’d better book soon at wayjo.com/education/wayjonc
WAYJO’s Pathways Program is supported by Minderoo Foundation
and Healthway promoting the Act Belong Commit message
2021 WAYJO Composer Residencies Announced
Now in its 14th year, the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra’s Composer-in-Residence program has annually supported two emerging composers to develop new works for a large jazz ensemble, offering both generous commission fees and artistic mentorship.
This year’s Composer Residencies were chosen from a very competitive field of emerging composers from all over the country. The decision was extremely difficult this year, with so much exceptionally well written and creative music submitted for the panel to assess.
Congratulations to WAYJO 2021 Composer in Residence recipients Brendan Keller-Tuberg (ACT) and Reece Clark (WA).
Both composers will bring fresh and creative perspectives to their commissions, which you can hear premiered by the WAYJO WNO at The Modern Masters concert, with special guest Jamie Oehlers, Friday 22 October at Lyric Lane.
For more information about WAYJO’s annual composer in residence program and commissioning, please visit wayjo.com/composer-in-residence
Contacts
Mace Francis
WAYJO Artistic Director
mace.francis@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950
WAYJO Club 2021 Semester Two
WAYJO Club is an exciting new opportunity introduced 2021 for aspiring instrumentalists and vocalists, aged 12-18 years, to learn about and participate in jazz music making with WAYJO in a social and inclusive setting.
NO AUDITION is required to take part, WAYJO Club is open to all young musicians with a basic understanding of music.
Delivered as a combination of both online and in-person sessions (pandemic advisories permitting), WAYJO Club offers access to networks, resources, content, open rehearsals and jazz day-camps.
Try your hand at playing big band music, section work, improvisation, plus meet and network with other young jazz musicians, while learning from some of the best jazz educators WA has to offer!
With the year is divided into two separate semester programs – WAYJO now have a limited number of registrations available for second semester;
SEMESTER 2
- August 3: Online Resources Sent
- September 7: Online Resources Sent
- September 12: Jazz Camp
- September 20: Invitation to an open rehearsal with the Monday Night Orchestra
- October 5: Online Resources Sent
- October 17: Jazz Camp and Audition Preparation
- November 2: Online Resources Sent
- November 17: Invitation to an open rehearsal with the Wednesday Night Orchestra
WAYJO CLUB FEES
- Single Semester: $150 (plus $9.34 booking fee)
2021 WAYJO Club second semester registrations open 9.00am Tuesday 1 June 2021, and close 5.00pm Tuesday 20 July 2021 – only if not filled prior (as places are limited)!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT WAYJO CLUB
“[My son] had the best time! He said it was a brilliant day. There’s been a lot of new jazz compositions and jamming happening in our home since!”
“[My daughter] had a GREAT time yesterday and was talking about it for ages, she can’t wait to audition to join when the time comes but for now looking forward to the rest of WAYJO Club and Young Women in Jazz.”
WAYJO’s Education Program is supported by Healthway promoting the Act Belong Commit message
WAYJO Club is also supported by Major Programs Partner Minderoo Foundation
