Auditions are September 12
Audition registration closes September 1st – register today!
VYOA Jazz is an auditioned ensemble featuring our region’s finest young jazz musicians. Led by Kyle Saulnier, musicians explore playing and improvising in different jazz styles while enjoying the camaraderie of meeting and performing with musicians from across the region. During the 10-week session, musicians work with some of our area’s finest jazz educators in combos and a big band.
General Information for Fall 2026
Director: Kyle Saulnier
Manager: Juliette Chant
Tuition: $1,000, financial aid is available
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 10:00am – 1:00pm, Elley-Long Music Center
September 19, 26
October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
November 7, 14, 21 (Concert at 11:00am)
Audition materials are now below!
Skills Expectations:
Acceptance into VYOA Jazz is by audition. You are likely ready for an audition if you:
–Have a strong control of your instrument from top-to-bottom
–Are able to confidently hold your own with written material in an ensemble
–Are able to sight-read reasonably well
–Have a working knowledge of and/or aptitude for basic (key-based, diatonic) music theory
–Have experience playing and improvising in a jazz style
If you are not yet ready for an audition, Grooves is the VYOA’s non-auditioned Jazz program for musicians in grades 5-12 .
Instrument/Participant Expectations:
VYOA Jazz is based on the American big band tradition. It is open to the number of participants and instruments that are listed below.
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
1 Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
3 Tenor Trombones
1 Bass Trombone
2 Drum Set Players (open to playing auxiliary percussion)
2 Electric Bass and/or Upright Bass Players
2 Electric Guitar Players
2 Piano/Keyboard Players
Auditions for the VYOA Jazz Fall 2026 Session at the Elley-Long Music Center will include the following 3 components:
Scales: Please prepare the following major and harmonic minor scales as many octaves as you are comfortable using the Vermont All State scale format at a minimum of Quarter Note = 88 beats per minute:
Saxophones (Play the scales in the key of your instrument – not concert pitch)
Eb Major (2 octaves)
Bb Major (2 octaves)
F# Major (2 octaves if possible)
D Harmonic Minor (2 octaves)
F Harmonic Minor (2 octaves)
Trumpet (Play the scales in the key of your instrument – not concert pitch)
G Major (2 octaves)
A Major (2 octaves)
Bb Major (2 Octaves)
C Harmonic Minor
D Harmonic Minor
Trombone/Rhythm
Bb Major (2 octaves)
F Major (2 octaves)
G Major (2 octaves)
D Harmonic Minor
A Harmonic Minor
Solo Performance for Melodic Instruments (with provided backing track accompaniment): Prepare “Just Friends” by John Klenner (from Jamey Aebersold Jam Session Vol. 34) AND “Two Plus Two” (from Jazz Conception – Jim Snidero/Advance Music measures 1-32). “Two Plus Two” will be performed without accompaniment.
Solo Performance for Drum Set Players (with provided live accompaniment): “Basie-Straight Ahead” composed and arranged by Sammy Nestico from Kendor Music AND “Spain” by Chick Corea arranged by Paul Jennings from Hal Leonard.
Sight Reading: A short passage selected by the adjudicators will be provided in the audition.
These audition requirements closely align with those of the VMEA All-State Festival Jazz audition requirements. VYOA encourages musicians to audition for both performance opportunities.
Financial Aid
The VYOA is committed to ensuring that no child is turned away from participating due to financial circumstances. Need-based financial aid is available to all qualifying families with a combined household income up to $120,000 who wish to apply. Your most recent tax documents and a $50 deposit will need to accompany your application. Additional questions can be emailed to mark@vyo.org.
Meet the Faculty
Kyle Saulnier, Director
Matt Avery, Trombone
Caleb Bronz, Drumset & Percussion
Randal Pierce, Piano
Jake Whitesell, Saxophone
Connor Young, Trumpet
