2026 National Youth Jazz Competition Big Band
REGISTRATIONS TO AUDITION FOR THE 2026 NYJC BIG BAND HAVE NOW CLOSED
Registration to Audition for the 2026 NYJC Big Band have now closed and the audition material has been sent to all of the applicants. Thank you to the students who registered – we received 92 applications from students from 35 different schools across Aotearoa. Audition videos are due by December 6 latest, but can be sent in as early as students wish.
We look forward to assembling 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.
The 2026 NYJCBB 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.
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.