Reece Clark (left) & Brendan Keller-Tuberg (right)

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 Photo

WAYJO Club 2021 Semester Two

WAYJO Club Page

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


WAYJO Management Vacancies

The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) are currently advertising two management positions.

Links to apply for these roles are publicly available from wayjo.com/opportunities

WAYJO General Manager

Applications are sought from suitably qualified and experienced candidates to fill the role of General Manager.

Responsible for overall financial and strategic performance, this will be an on-going, full-time position subject to an initial 3-month probationary period.

Demonstrated leadership, communication, advocacy skills, a broad understanding of business development, fundraising and revenue generation in the arts industry, as well as knowledge of the not-for-profit arts sector, are required.

Please direct any queries to WAYJO Board Chair Simon Durack – simon.durack@wayjo.com

Applications for General Manager close Monday 8 March, 2021 at 9.00am AWST.

 

WAYJO Events & Logistics Manager

WA Youth Jazz Orchestra is seeking an Events and Logistics Manager. This part-time role, reporting to the General Manager, is responsible for managing all logistics of the three WAYJO bands, including event preparation, venue booking, regional tour coordination and more.

The role would suit applicants with experience in the music and arts industry with skills in administration and/or event production.

Please direct any queries to WAYJO General Manager Simon Keen – simon.keen@wayjo.com

Applications for Events & Logistics Manager close Monday 15 March, 2021 at 9.00am AWST.


WAYJO Photo

Introducing WAYJO Club

WAYJO Club Page

The West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) will not be holding band auditions for 2021. COVID-19 caused the loss of rehearsal and performance opportunities through most of 2020, so WAYJO has offered 2020 band members continuation into 2021.

Instead we welcome to WAYJO Club, an exciting new opportunity for aspiring instrumentalists and vocalists, aged 12-18 years during 2021, to learn about and participate in jazz music making with WAYJO in a social and inclusive setting.

There will be NO AUDITION required to take part, WAYJO Club is open to all young musicians with a basic understanding of music.

WAYJO Club is a program that will give you access to networks, resources, content, open rehearsals and jazz day-camps. These will be delivered March-June & August-November as a combination of both online and in-person sessions (pandemic advisories permitting).

The year is divided into two separate semester programs – so you can choose to participate for a single semester, or book the full year in advance to enjoy a discount;

SEMESTER 1

  • March 2: Online Resources Sent
  • April 6: Online Resources Sent
  • April 11: Jazz Camp
  • April 14: Invitation to an open rehearsal with the Wednesday Night Orchestra
  • May 4: Online Resources Sent
  • May 11: Invitation to an open rehearsal with the Tuesday Night Orchestra
  • June 1: Online Resources Sent
  • June 20: Jazz Camp

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)
  • Full Year: $250 (plus $15.93 booking fee)

WAYJO Club semester 1 and full-year registrations open 9.00am Wednesday 18 November 2020, and close 5.00pm Monday 15 February 2021 – if not filled prior. Participants are limited to 50 per semester.

 

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

Join WAYJO Club

King St Corner Pocket Festival 2020 Applications

In line with Government directions on the COVID-19 pandemic, WAYJO cancelled all public activities and rehearsals from 23 March until public gathering restrictions are lifted.

Tickets for all cancelled events will be refunded.

To maintain required physical distancing, WAYJO staff are not in the office at present, but working from home and still available via email.

If you are concerned about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we encourage you to take a look at our resources page, including official links such as health.wa.gov.au on how best to avoid infection or spread, plus mental health resources from Beyond Blue.

This is a difficult time for WAYJO, and we would greatly appreciate, if you are able, any donation to help us through the current situation. Please visit wayjo.com/support for ways in which you can support our work.

We are looking forward to being back with our programs when safe, and hope that you continue to be part of our family of supporters and friends. See you at a WAYJO event as soon as we can!

King St Corner Pocket Festival 2020 Call Out for Performers

Perth and Western Australia host some of the most outstanding jazz talent in the country. King St Corner Pocket showcases these exceptional local artists, emerging and established, in a fun filled 3 night festival, where you don’t have to walk more than 50 meters to discover a new sound.

The Festival, now in its third consecutive year, runs Thursday 30 July to Saturday 1 August in Perth.

Over fifty 45-50 minute performance slots are on offer for local improvised and jazz musical acts to perform at His Majesty’s Theatre, plus other exciting activated venues in and around King Street.

West Australian based performers interested in performing at the festival can apply from Tuesday 18 February, 9.00am. Applications close Friday 20 March 2020, 5.00pm AWST.

Applicants will be notified application outcomes by mid-April, with the full festival line up announcement in May.

King Street Corner Pocket Jazz Festival is supported by the City of Perth.

For more information about the King Street Corner Pocket Jazz Festival, please visit cornerpocket.com.au

 

2020 Festival Partners

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Des Cannings

2020 WAYJO Composer Residencies Announced

Now in its 13th 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 we had a large number of applications which makes the decisions very difficult. This is a good indication that jazz composition is still alive and well in this country, especially seeing the quality of the submissions.

However, only two composers could be selected to fill the Associate Composer in Residence and the Composer in Residence positions. They were chosen based on their previous work, education, and proposed ideas for the commission.

WAAPA composition graduate Maddie Ivy from WA was successful as the 2020 WAYJO Associate Composer in Residence.

Maddy has a great grasp on orchestration and craft, as well as creative ways of using the big band and a variety of genres and musical settings.

Des Cannings from NSW will be the 2020 WAYJO Composer in Residence.

Des’s skill and craft in writing for big band instrumentation and respect for the tradition was displayed in his previous work. Des hopes to push his concepts of melodic development and creative form in ways he has not previously been able to do.

The WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra will premier and record these young composer’s exciting new works at the 2020 King St Corner Pocket Jazz Festival, running 30 July to 1 August.

For more information about WAYJO’s composer in residence program and commissioning, please visit wayjo.com/composer-in-residence

 

Des Cannings - WAYJO 2020 Composer in Residence
Des Cannings - 2020 WAYJO Composer in Residence

 

Maddie Ivy - 2020 WAYJO Associate Composer in Residence

 

Contacts

Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950

Mace Francis
WAYJO Artistic Director
mace.francis@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950


WAYJO 2020 Composer in Residence Applications Open

The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) is offering two young jazz composers paid, professional development opportunities to develop new works and enhance music writing and conducting skills. Such opportunities are rarely offered in Australia.

WAYJO continues to support composers and generate original Australian content through its unique Composer-in-Residence program, presented for the twelfth consecutive year in 2020.

WAYJO's Composer in Residence program annually supports two young, emerging composers to develop new works for large jazz ensemble, offering both generous commission fees and artistic mentorship.

The program is run under the guidance of WAYJO’s Artistic Director, Dr Mace Francis (winner – APRA/AMCOS Jazz Work of the Year and international Scrivere in Jazz prize; finalist – Freedman Jazz Fellowship; nominee – Jazz ‘Bell’ Awards).

"Working with talented young Australian composers to bring their new works to life is a highlight in the WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra calendar. I am always amazed at what young people can create when they work together in a safe, focused and creative space. I look forward to hearing what is created again in 2020." - Dr Mace Francis.

Opportunities

COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE is open to any jazz composer aged 30 years or younger (as at 1st January 2020), residing in Australia. $4,000 is offered to develop three new, original compositions. Flights and accommodation included (unless a resident of the Perth metropolitan area).

ASSOCIATE COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE is open to any jazz composer aged 21 years or younger (as at 1st January 2020), residing in Western Australia. $2,000 is offered the Associate to develop two new, original compositions.

Both positions offer professional advice and mentoring, opportunities to rehearse and perform with WAYJO’s premier 18-piece big band, and an opportunity to premier the works at the 2020 King St Corner Pocket Jazz Festival.

This program is open to all Australian composers (citizens and permanent residents). Successful applicants will be required to compose the works (each six to eight minutes in duration) by Monday June 8, 2020, for performance by the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra Wednesday Night Orchestra.

Deadline

Applications open Monday 18 November, 2019 and close Friday 17 January, 2020 at 5.00pm AWST. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 24 January, 2020.

Please Note: The WAYJO offices will be closed for the holidays Friday 20 December, 2019 to Wednesday 8 January, 2020.

Find Out More

For more information, please visit wayjo.com/composer-in-residence, or contact the WAYJO office during business hours on +61 8 9471 1950.

 

2019 Composer in Residence Scott van Gemert leading his work at 2019 King St Corner Pocket Jazz Festival - Photos by Eliza Cowling.

 

Media Contact

Justine Thornley, WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950


WAYJO 2019-20 Assistant Music Director Appointment

After a public call-out and rigorous selection process, the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) is proud to announce Christopher Musitano has been selected as Assistant Music Director for 2019-20, commencing September.

Proudly supported by the Simon Lee Foundation, the Assistant Music Director program offers a mentoring traineeship for a young and emerging musical director. The program is a rare opportunity for emerging band leaders to develop skills in conducting a large orchestral band, programming repertoire for an 18-piece big band, and develop the leadership skills required to inspire and enhance the skills and experience of band members.

WAYJO’s Artistic Director Dr Mace Francis selected Chris from a strong field of applications. “Chris has spent a long time with WAYJO as a musician, coming up through all the bands. This experience as Assistant Music Director will give Chris another perspective and set of skills he can take to his teaching and into the industry. We congratulate Chris on this appointment and welcome him back to the WAYJO family.”

Chris, who performed with WAYJO for 8-years, brings substantial knowledge and experience to the role, with a BA in Music Studies and Specialist Music Studies, and BMus (Hons) in Music - Jazz Performance.

“I applied for the role as I had seen the opportunities and growth that this position has allowed for those who have previously held it, especially during my time as a player in WAYJO. Getting to be on the conductor’s side of a band such as WAYJO is an opportunity not to be missed.”

“In addition to getting the experience of directing a big band, I am hoping that the position of Assistant Music Director opens me up to lots of new music and sounds that I haven’t heard before. Getting to hear new composers and players will allow me to better inform my own composing, teaching, and playing which will, in turn, help me to take on this position to the best of my ability.”

“I believe that WAYJO is an important musical institution in the Perth music scene as it fosters young talent while opening up young musicians to opportunities and music that they might not be exposed to in high school or university. Speaking personally, it helped and allowed me to grow in skill as a player, to meet and eventually play music with new friends, and fostered a love of jazz and big band music that then informed the direction of my career.”

“I think this position is important because it not only gives experience in running a band, but also gives those who have previously played in the band an opportunity to give back to the organization who helped them to get there in the first place.”

Applications for this paid traineeship position are invited annually. Head to wayjo.com, and subscribe to WAYJO eNews, to stay informed about all upcoming opportunities within the orchestras and organisation.

Chris Musitano (26) - WAYJO Assistant Musical Director 2019-20.

#WAYJO2019 #MusicTraineeship

Media Contact
Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 (0)8 9471 1950


WAYJO 2019-20 Assistant Music Director Applications Open

Proudly supported by the Simon Lee Foundation, the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) Assistant Music Director program offers a 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.

By offering artistic and industry expertise and world-class rehearsal and performance opportunities, WAYJO provides a framework for emerging jazz musicians and composers to become successful professionals.

WAYJO have opened applications for this position to fill 1 September 2019 to 31 December 2019. Applications close Friday 23 August 2019, 9.00AM AWST.

Head to the WAYJO Assistant Musical Director page for details and application form.


2019 WAYJO Composer Residencies Announced

Now in its 11th 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 we had the largest number of entries we’ve ever seen, making the usual difficult decisions even harder. This is a good indication that jazz composition is still alive and well in this country, especially seeing the quality of the submissions.

However, only two composers could be selected to fill the Associate Composer in Residence and the Composer in Residence positions. They were chosen based on their previous work, education, and proposed ideas for the commission.

WAYJO Alumni Joshua Nicholls was successful as the 2019 WAYJO Associate Composer in Residence.

Joshua has a good grasp on orchestration, voicing and arranging craft as well as having an eclectic range of influences and styles he brings into his music.

Scott van Gemert will be the 2019 WAYJO Composer in Residence.

Scott’s skill and craft in writing for big band instrumentation, and respect for the tradition, was displayed in his previous work.

Scott's proposal to push his concepts of form and structure while still acknowledging the jazz tradition promises to deliver us some exceptional new Australian big band music.

The WAYJO Wednesday Night Orchestra will premier and record these young composer's exciting new works at the 2019 King St Corner Pocket Jazz Festival, Sat 6 July Downstairs at The Maj - 6.00pm & 7.30pm.

For more information about WAYJO’s composer in residence program and commissioning, please visit wayjo.com/education/emerging-composers

 

2019 WAYJO Composer in Residence - Scott van Gemert
2019 WAYJO Associate Composer in Residence - Joshua Nicholls

Contacts:

Justine Thornley
WAYJO Marketing
marketing@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950

Mace Francis
WAYJO Artistic Director
mace.francis@wayjo.com
+61 8 9471 1950