2026 National Youth Jazz Competition Big Band
REGISTER TO AUDITION FOR THE 2026 NYJC BIG BAND
Please complete this form to register for an audition for the 2026 National Youth Jazz Competition Big Band. Registration is open now and will close on Sat 20 September 2025. Your school does not need to have a group in the competition for you to be eligible to audition for this ensemble.
Our goal is to assemble a Big Band of some of the most outstanding young jazz musicians in New Zealand. The repertoire the band performs will be selected to reflect this standard, and will be challenging for every musician involved. This band will perform at the awards ceremony at Baycourt in Tauranga on the final day of the National Youth Jazz Competition, Wednesday 1st April 2026. Rehearsals will be in Tauranga during the evenings of the 30th and 31st of March and you will need to attend at least one of these. Exact details will be sent out closer to the time.
You will be sent a link to access material (sheet music and audio) for the part you wish to audition for. Please also indicate in this form if you wish to be featured as an improvising soloist so that you can be sent further material to audition for this as well.
You will need to submit your audition by providing a link to an unregistered video on your YouTube channel. Once your registration has been received, you will be sent an email with further instructions on how to do this along with your audition material.
You will be sent a link to access material (sheet music and audio) for the part you wish to audition for. Please also indicate in this form if you wish to be featured as an improvising soloist so that you can be sent further material to audition for this as well.
You will need to submit your audition by providing a link to an unregistered video on your YouTube channel. Once your registration has been received, you will be sent an email with further instructions on how to do this along with your audition material.
We look forward to receiving your registration – go for it!
2025 NYJC BIG BAND (Archive)
| CHAIR | NAME | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|
| Alto 1 | Jaden Lee | St Kentigern College |
| Alto 2 | Mason Bailey | New Plymouth BHS |
| Tenor 1 | Ted Coop | King's College |
| Tenor 2 | Joshua Kerr | Wellington College |
| Baritone | Marcus Louie | Tauranga Boys' College |
| Trumpet 1/3 | Logan Topp | Pukekohe HS |
| Trumpet 1/3 | Thomas Priest | Hamilton Boys HS |
| Trumpet 2 | Oliver Farquharson | Tauranga Boys' College |
| Trumpet 4 | Arthur Thomson | Bethlehem College |
| Trumpet 5 | Il'ya Allen | Orewa College |
| Trombone 1 | Simon Gillies | Western Heights |
| Trombone 2 | Matt Donaldson | Westlake Boys HS |
| Trombone 3 | Oliver McKay | Pukekohe HS |
| Bass Trombone | Alex Lord | Hamilton Boys HS |
| Piano | Ben Viljoen | Palmerston North BHS |
| Guitar | Hunter Davis | Cambridge HS |
| Bass | Blenner-Hassett | Wellington College |
| Drums | Mason Johnstone | Hamilton Boys HS |
| Vocals | Grace Vivian | Cambridge HS |
The Musical Director Paul Norman was impressed with the remarkable talent that emerged from the national auditions.
“These dedicated young musicians will gain an unforgettable experience rehearsing and performing more challenging material with other outstanding players from across Aotearoa New Zealand. Their passion and talent will be on display in their performance at the 2025 National Youth Jazz Competition.