Blues Alley Youth Orchestra

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The 26th season of the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra will commence on Saturday, September 10th at 10:00 am at Grace Episcopal Church pn Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown. Due to the anticipated 9/11 ceremonies we have decided to move our regularly scheduled audition date and time from Sunday, September 11th to Saturday, September 10th from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. The auditions will be conducted by our music director with piano, drums and amplifier provided. The price of participation will be $150 per student and registration forms will be distributed to those students who are individually selected. A follow up introductory session will occur on Sunday, September 18th at 2:00 pm and will be open to all family members and parents are encouraged to attend."\

The Orchestra is comprised of accomplished student musicians ranging in age from 14-17 years old with their mission to preserve and promote the big band jazz genre. Now in its 25th year the Orchestra has performed at such mainstay venues as The John F. Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian Institution, Voice of America, Carter Barron Amphitheater, Wolf Trap Farm Park, Blues Alley and elsewhere.

The Orchestra was founded in 1985 along with its parent Blues Alley Jazz Society and performs varied musical selections by such successful jazz composers as Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and others. The Orchestra typically contains a full accompaniment of brass, strings and percussion and attracts student musicians from Frederick to Fredericksburg. Students also take part in both civic and educational trainings as they perform in senior centers, at community functions and inside houses of worship.

Often performers traveling through Washington, DC have volunteered in workshops and master classes while performing simultaneously at the club. Guest artists have included Quincy Jones, McCoy Tyner, Wayne Shorter, Terrence Blanchard and more. An orientation occurs each second Sunday in September with a full rehearsal and performance schedule from September through April and through July until August. The school calendar includes weekly and monthly rehearsal and performance opportunities. To learn more or participate or perform with this truly unique Washington musical experience please contact Mr. Bowie at Michael.Bowie1@gmail.com or via telephone at (202) 251-0536. Many musical opportunities may await you.