We're excited to announce a Mid Level Honor Jazz Band Program starting on March 12 of 2012. Interested & qualified musicians in grades 7-9 are invited to participate. The instrumentation will be that of a traditional jazz big band - saxophones (alto, tenor, bari), trombones, trumpets, piano, bass, drums, and guitar. We will rehearse each Monday evening for 10 weeks starting March 12 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM for 10 weeks at Scott Highlands Middle School in Apple Valley.
Apply! – We will perform one concert which will be available on DVD. The intent of the band is to give serious and talented young musicians further opportunities to rehearse and perform together. If you're interested in having a great time learning challenging jazz music in the company of other fine young musicians, we hope you'll join us!
Auditions - If we have more applicants than we can accommodate, we'll hold short auditions during early March. You'll be contacted before March 1 if we need to schedule an audition.
Click here for the 2012 Application Form.
Fees - There will be a $150 fee for participation, used to cover part of the costs of organizing and maintaining the band. Private contributions of time and money from individuals and businesses will cover the remaining costs.
Scholarships - No musician will be turned away because of financial need. If you would like information on scholarships, please contact us.
Rehearsal Dates - March 12, 19, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May 7, 14
Concert Date - May 20, 3:00 - 4:30 PM
 Director - Dave Mendenhall has spent the last 31 years as a music educator in Apple Valley and as freelance musician in the Twin Cities music scene. His school jazz ensembles and bands have played at numerous festivals and conventions, earning outstanding recognition by educators and clinicians alike. Many of his original band methods are in publication As a bass player, Dave has played in the corporate and jazz scene playing with national and local musicians. As a conductor, Dave has been the director of bands at Scott Highlands Middle School from 1982-2010
The Minnesota Youth Jazz Bands Program - For the past eight years, the Minnesota Youth Jazz Bands program has sponsored three jazz big bands primarily composed of high school musicians from the greater Twin Cities area. Each band performs several concerts per year and records a CD and DVD. In the summer of 2011, our top band toured Europe and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival. We have long wanted to involve younger musicians in our program. The intent of our Mid Level Honor Jazz Band Program is to offer younger musicians a further opportunity to meet musicians from other schools, rehearse together in an environment of high expectations, perform, and produce a DVD.
For more information – please call us or email us
Minnesota Youth Jazz Bands, 950 Scenic Drive, Shoreview MN 55126
(651) 784-5136 Email: david.mitchell@comcast.net
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