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Auditions for Young Sounds being held May 9 through June 8

Auditions are underway for Young Sounds of Arizona, created in 1971 by the Professional Musicians of Arizona, Local 586 of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), to provide further training, performing opportunities and artistic growth for young Arizona musicians ages 14 to 19.

Participation by student musicians in two bands is earned through an annual audition process for middle-school and high school age students. Any instrument can audition on any date listed below at the union hall, 1202 E. Oak St., Phoenix, AZ 85006.

Auditions are being scheduled as follows; of there are questions, email cvwedge@gmail.com or youngsoundsofarizona@gmail.com, or call Vincent Wedge, 602-492-4590 or the Musicians Hall, 602-254-8838.

• Saturday, May 9, 9 am-noon
• Monday, May 11, 6 pm-8 pm
• Saturday, June 6, 10 am-2 pm
• Monday, June 8, 6 pm-9 pm

Steps for to schedule an audition are:

1. Get an audition time at http://youngsounds.lattiss.com. Click “book now” to reserve an open time. An email confirmation will be sent, also a reminder one week before the audition.
2. Click here to fill out a form with information about yourself.
3. Click on the link below to download audition materials. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print your pages.

Originating as one jazz band, Young Sounds has matured into two big bands and a jazz combo. Performances at schools, clinics, concert venues, conventions, jazz festivals and recording sessions help increase musical competence and performance skills of Young Sounds members. The musicianship of the Young Sounds bands has been described as “the best in the Valley of the Sun”.

The community outreach of Young Sounds includes music clinics for young musicians, a summer jazz camp and scholarships for advanced musical educations. Also, each year Young Sounds presents free jazz concerts throughout the Valley. These concerts provide heightened visibility and confidence performing in front of large audiences.

Membership in Young Sounds often precedes a continuance of academic music education at the college level and/or a professional musical career. The program can provide a bridge between playing music on a sometimes basis and making music a full-time job.

In addition to musical training and performing, Young Sounds members gain the advantage of mentoring from the professional musicians who lead them and from other members of Professional Musicians of Arizona, Local 586, AFM. Members of Young Sounds learn about music as a profession from professional musicians. Band members receive weekly professional instruction and music clinics with masters of the genre that in the past have included Pete Christlieb, Howard Roberts, Clark Terry, Barney Kessel, Bobby Shew and Jamey Aebersold. This education also may include aspects of business, agents, personal managers, contracts and privileges of union membership.

Young Sounds is also sponsored by grants from Target Stores, The Otto & Edna Neely Foundation, The Phoenix Arts Commission, The Arizona Commission on the Arts, The Metropolitan Life Foundation and ASCAP.  Additionally, support comes from individual contributions of music lovers in the greater Phoenix area. Young Sounds is a 501c3 non-profit organization, and is governed by a board of directors that welcomes inquiries regarding scheduling, performances or becoming a Friend of Young Sounds.