Do you dream of being a jazz musician playing alongside Australia’s top young jazz musicians, meeting national jazz stars and playing in a full big band jazz orchestra at events and venues across Perth?

Well, maybe joining the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) is something you should do! Auditions are held at the start of each year for all three bands.

What WAYJO offers

Music and Training

• Provides you with a good, solid grounding in ensemble playing, section playing and big band repertoire.
• Your musical directors have all had extensive jazz performance training and experience.
• Working through Swing Band, Big Band and the Composer’s Ensemble, you will be exposed to music of the jazz greats throughout the historic jazz periods right to the present modern jazz composers – and be encouraged to compose your own pieces.

Rehearsals

• Offers you a safe, professional environment to practice your craft each week.
• Gets you in touch with likeminded musicians of your age.
• Offers interesting and challenging music that you may never played before.

Workshops

WAYJO has access to visiting international and national jazz musicians visiting Perth and will often invite them to conduct a workshop with WAYJO and WAAPA musicians. This is a great learning opportunity you would not otherwise get access to.

Performances

• Professional performance experience at all the established Perth Jazz Clubs.
• Perform with local, national and international jazz artists.
• Perform in a group environment as part of a team.

Touring

The chance to tour regionally and nationally.

Recording

We try to keep our WAYJO recordings up-to-date with recording taking place every 3-5 years. We are working on securing the opportunity to record in a professional studio space this year.

Uniform

WAYJO provides you with a fresh uniform.

Scholarships

Each year WAYJO offer a number of scholarships to help you further your music education. Details of how to apply will be issued throughout the year.

Website and Facebook

Join the WAYJO online community! WAYJO regularly updates the WAYJO website and Facebook  page.

Publicity and Promotion

The WAYJO team actively promote the performances and achievements of WAYO and its musicians. Keep an eye out in local news and music press (The West Australian, Community Newspapers, X-Press, Drum Magazine) and local radio for WAYJO related news.