2026 Guest Artists Bert Joris (Generations in Jazz) & Florian Ross (Sydney Con Jazz Festival)

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Entries close Jan 10, 2026

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2026 Guest Artists Bert Joris (Generations in Jazz) & Florian Ross (Sydney Con Jazz Festival) 〰️ Entries close Jan 10, 2026 〰️

How to audition

STEP 1 - Read the ‘Audition Rules’ below and download your Instrument specific excerpts, download your excerpt backing track and impro backing track (if applicable)

STEP 2 - Practise your excerpts, impro component (if applicable) and prepare to record your audition

STEP 3 - When you are ready, record your audition and save your ‘mp3 links’ somewhere where you can find them. NB make sure these ‘mp3 links’ are shareable (public) otherwise the judges won’t be able to assess your submission!

STEP 4 - Pay the $25 Entry Fee and complete online application (below), which will require you to add your ‘mp3 links’.

You’ll also need your contact details and an emergency contact such as a parent, friend or partner

STEP 5 - submit before 11:59pm (your local time) on January 10, 2026

SUBMIT AUDITION

Audition Rules

#1 - Auditions are open to Australian Residents between the ages of 18 & 25. (ie you must be 18 years old when the project starts on April 29, 2026 and you can’t turn 26 before June 1, 2026)

Auditions close on January 10, 2026 at 11:59pm (your time)

#2 - Auditions will be ‘blindfold’ judged by the ANJO Youth Big Band Artistic Directors

#3 - The 2026 ANJO Youth Big Band will be announced 10am (Sydney Time) on January 25 via this webpage

#4 - If you are auditioning for multiple instruments (ie 2 x different saxophone chairs ie Tenor & Baritone OR tenor bone & bass trombone OR trumpet & sax, OR Guitar & Bass OR any other combination!), we must hear at least 1x excerpt on your second or third instrument. We suggest you submit the impro using your strongest instrument.

#5 - Applications are for the following positions.

*All positions are improvising unless specified

  1. Soprano Sax, Alto Sax Lead

  2. Alto Sax 2

  3. Tenor Saxophone 1

  4. Tenor Saxophone 2

  5. Baritone Saxophone

  6. Trumpet 1 Lead (section player only, no solos)

  7. Trumpet 2 (section player only, no solos)

  8. Trumpet 3 (section player only, no solos)

  9. Trumpet 4

  10. Trombone 1 Lead

  11. Trombone 2

  12. Trombone 3 (section player only, no solos)

  13. Bass Trombone (section player only, no solos)

  14. Guitar

  15. Piano

  16. Double Bass or Electric Bass

  17. Drum Kit

#6 - all applicants must submit audio links that include the following components:-

  1. the instrument specific excerpt performed with the provided backing track

  2. the instrument specific excerpt (or in the case of rhythm section the second excerpt) performed without a metronome

  3. if required, applicants must also submit an impro excerpt using one of the backing mp3’s provided below

    NB If you are auditioning for Tpt 1, Tpt 2, Tpt 3, Bone 3 or Bone 4 or Drums the impro excerpt is optional!

#7 - all applicants must pay the $20 entry fee and complete the online application form

Pro Tip:- Have your excerpts completed and ‘mp3 links’ saved somewhere handy before you pay the entry fee & complete application form

#8 (IMPORTANT) - applicants must not have any identifying sounds on their mp3 audio files e.g. speaking, high heels, or identifying file names. we take the blindfold auditions seriously.

(a bad eg TheakANJOaudition.mp3)

Impro excerpts

for your impro excerpt, choose from this list of jazz standards. You can decide how best to showcase your skills using the provided ‘backing mp3’. It is not a requirement to play the melody.

All the things you are (concert key Ab - first chord Fmi)

Rhythm Changes (concert key Bb)

On Green Dolphin St (concert key Eb)

Confirmation (concert key F)

Like Someone in Love (concert key Eb)

There is no greater love (concert key of Bb)

Take the A Train (concert key of C)

Click on your preferred jazz standard to download a ‘backing mp3’.

It is a requirement to use these backings so its a level playing field for all candidates.