We invite you to register for the 47th National Youth Jazz Competition!
The Tauranga Jazz Society are very excited to be staging the 47th National Youth Jazz Competition from Monday 7 to Wednesday 9 April 2025.
We have more trophies than ever – there are best in competition trophies for both Big Bands and Combos; cash prizes for the Most Outstanding Big Band $350, Best Combo $250, Most Outstanding Combo Musician $200, and Most Outstanding Big Band Musician $200; plus bronze, silver and gold awards. We have an exciting programme of performances with on-stage workshops for all bands, evening workshop and jam, an auditioned National Youth Jazz Competition Big Band to perform at the prizegiving, plus a special evening concert.
We look forward to having you join us.
When: Monday 7 April – 9 April 2025
Programme
Mon 7 April
– 8.30am-5.30pm Combo Competition X Space Theatre
– 12.45pm-5.15pm Big Band Competition Addison Theatre
– 5.30pm -7.00pm 2025 NYJC Big Band Rehearsal
– 7.00pm- 8.30pm Workshop Improvisation/Jam
Tues 8 April
– 8.30am-5.30pm Combo Competition X Space Theatre
– 9.15am-5.15pm Big Band Competition Addison Theatre
– 5.30pm -7.00pm 2025 NYJC Big Band Rehearsal
– 7.00pm- 8.30pm Workshop Improvisation/Jam
Wed 9 April
– 8.30am-4.00pm Combo Competition X Space Theatre
– 9.15am-4.30pm Big Band Competition Addison Theatre
– 4.45pm-5.15pm Performance by NYJC Big Band
– 5.15pm-6.00pm Prizegiving
– 8.00pm-9.30pm NZ Army Band Jazz Showcase $15 ticket$15 ticket
Where: Baycourt Community and Arts Centre, 38 Durham Street, Tauranga
TEST PIECES FOR THE 2025 NATIONAL YOUTH JAZZ COMPETITION
Combo
Softly as in a Morning Sunrise by Sigmund Romberg. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.
Instrumental version
– Chet Baker 1979 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-43zlJs6ao
– John Coltrane 1961 https://youtu.be/e57F_Rm3xI4?si=9DHy1Hu0yEJXMyWG
Vocal Version
– Lauren Bush – https://youtu.be/xFujdGLLczE?si=fvpoGIPZi6UK9m95
– Bobby Darin – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiO04NoFkkk
Big Band
– Cheesecake by Dexter Gordon Arranger Rick Stitzel https://www.ejazzlines.com/cheesecake-jazz-big-band-arrangement-rick-stitzel
Medium swing jazz standard featuring saxes on the head, brass on the bridge, plus a solo for tenor and full ensemble shout chorus.
Competition rules: The National Youth Jazz Competition Rules have been changed for 2025. The changes are:
The maximum number of players in a Combo is now 9 (previously 8).
Each Combo performing in the Combo section plays four pieces (the set piece plus three others) with a maximum playing time of 20 minutes.
The Updated Rules may be downloaded here from website https://nationalyouthjazz.org.nz/competition-rules/
Adjudication:
The three Big Band Judges are Dr Dave Wilson, Lana Law and Lance Philips.
The two Combo Judges are Ben Wilcock and Eilish Wilson.
All bands will receive written comments from the adjudicators, be graded by points, and be eligible for trophies plus Gold, Silver, Bronze and Emerging Awards.
Big Bands will be assessed on:
– Technical Skills (20%)
– Musicianship (25%)
– Horn Section (20%)
– Rhythm Section (20%)
– Improvisation (15%)
Combos will be assessed on:
– Technical Skills (20%)
– Ensemble (20%)
– Improvisation (25%)
– Interpretation (20%)
– Stage Craft (15%)
Gold award: 85-100%
Silver award: 65-84%
Bronze award: 45-64%
Emerging award: 44% or less
Registrations close: Friday 28 February at 4pm, or once limited spaces have been filled.
All information is to be provided by this time.
We will keep you up to date by newsletter and via the National Youth Jazz Competition Facebook page.
If you have any queries, feel free to contact us.
Kind regards
Liam Ryan
Director National Youth Jazz Competition
Liam Mobile: 021 042 1322 or Mandy 0274 533 425
www.facebook.com/NationalYouthJazzCompetition
