NWA Jazz All-Stars Youth Ensemble
Recruitment for the new NWA Jazz All-Stars Youth Ensemble has begun!
2021 marks the fifth season of the NWA Jazz All-Stars Youth Ensemble (a program of the NWA Jazz Society). This exciting jazz education experience offers high school students a unique opportunity to join a musical community of passionate young musicians at a pivotal point in their personal development. Students have an opportunity to apply techniques they learn in rehearsals to concert performances and professional recordings.
High school students are selected by audition. As part of the program they:
- receive one-on-one training from professional jazz musicians,
- participate in a professional studio recording session with bandmates,
- and give a concert performance with the All-Stars at Walton Arts Center.
Due to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 season of the NWA Jazz All-Stars Youth Ensemble will not feature the typical big band format. Instead, we are creatively reimagining our programming this year as a small jazz combo intensive. We are recruiting students for two separate combos that will both get time in the studio and perform a concert at Walton Arts Center.
If you or a student you know are interested in joining the All-Stars, check out the audition information below!
Use this button to watch music videos performed by the 2019/2020 Jazz All-Stars!
AUDITION INFO
Eligibility: Students must be in grades 9-12 and reside within the Northwest Arkansas region. At least 2 years’ experience on the instrument or comparable proficiency (exceptions may be made based on skills and experience)
Instruments: Saxophones (alto, tenor, bari), trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass, drums
Auditions: This year we are auditioning virtually. Deadline to submit required materials is February 20th, 2021
Rehearsals: Sundays, February 28th through April 25th
Concert and Studio Recording: A professional recording session (tentative date April 25) of the ensemble’s repertoire and a concert performance in Starr Theater at Walton Arts Center (tentative date April 30).
Contact: Robert Ginsburg, Executive Director of the NWA Jazz Society, robert@digjazz.com
SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:
NWA Youth Jazz Ensemble Instructors:
Matt Beach
Trombone / Tuba / Drums, University of Arkansas graduate in music performance.
Chase Cavalier
Bachelor's degree in music performance from University of Arkansas, store manager at Palen Music.
Ben Harris
Guitarist, music instructor, master's in music composition from University of Arkansas, Director of Operations and Annual Giving at SONA.
Darren Novotny
Drummer, recording engineer, graduate of University of Arkansas, has been recording and teaching professionally since the mid 70's.
Rick Salonen
Saxophonist and music professor at University of Arkansas.
Claudia Burson
Pianist, jazz instructor at University of Arkansas, widely considered the matriarch of jazz piano in NWA.
Austin Farnam
Saxophonist and music instructor at New School, professional musician.