Who are we? We are the Willamette Valley Youth Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jaimie Hall and Kevin Ohmart.
What is our Mission? Our mission is to provide high school students in the Willamette Valley with an opportunity to develop an in depth understanding, appreciation, and love of America's indigenous art form, jazz. It is our goal to meet the needs of students of all ability levels. We hope to develop lifelong supporters and performers of this special music.
How will your students benefit? We have the time and resources to successfully teach improvisation at all ability levels. We are passionate about the large jazz ensemble, as have almost 50 years of performance experience, and 20 years of teaching experience between the two instructors. We want your students to experience the excitement that we share for jazz, and we will be able to bring in highly qualified clinicians to work with them and allow them to hear and experience jazz excellence in person.
Who is eligible? Any student, grades 9-12, who plays saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass, piano, guitar, vibes, or drumset. Students who participate in WVYJE MUST maintain membership in good standing in their school's jazz ensemble. Any exceptions must be cleared by the student's school director. Our goal is to have two jazz bands, so that we can support students of all ability levels.
Performances - Our primary goal is to have our groups perform throughout our community, at events such as opening for the Director's Jazz band, guest professional groups, and the Silverton Wine and Jazz Festival. Competition is not our focus, but we feel it is important that our students have the opportunity to perform in that setting and receive feedback. We hope to foster a community of jazz performers and supporters.
Auditions for 2008-2009 will be held in October. Students need to contact Jaimie Hall (971-218-7891, hall_jaimie@salkeiz.k12.or.us) to schedule an audition time. Students will be asked to play a chromatic scale and sight read. Imrovisation is optional.
Rehearsals for the 2007-2008 school year are held Sundays at Stephens Middle School from 2:00pm-5:00pm.
Tuition for the 2007-2008 school year is $330.00. Students have the option to pay in three installments. These funds will be used to pay for jazz festival entry fees, clinicians, music purchases, instrument purchases, and weekly instruction. A limited number of partial tuition scholarships are available. Students applying for these will need to have a letter of support from their school director and guardian explaining their need and level of commitment.
The First Annual WVYJE Jazz Festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2008 at McKay High School.