Workshop Ensembles
Widely known as one of the most prestigious jazz education programs on the West Coast, YLJC has small ensembles for every skill level as well as big band.
Workshop Ensembles
What Are Workshop Ensembles?
Workshop ensemble classes are for students who are not quite ready for the demands of being in a YLJC ensemble but want to gain the experience necessary to join an ensemble in the future. After these classes, students should be comfortable and ready for the challenges of being in the YLJC Youth Ensemble Program.
Who Is Eligible?
We accept music students up to 18 years of age who have some proficiency on their instruments.
What’s Included?
Students are placed in ensembles of six to nine students and rehearse weekly.*
*Instrumentation can be varied (examples: we might have 4 pianists and 1 drummer, or, 2 sax, 2 pianists and a bass player, etc.)
Curriculum: Music theory, ear training, reading music—sight reading, improvisation, how to play in a group setting, jazz history.
Class Schedule: Classes take place on Saturdays or Sundays. You can find the class calendar and rehearsal locations here.
Performance Opportunities: Ensembles will have an opportunity to play at our All-Ensembles Showcases (Dec & June). Workshop ensembles are not required to perform at Panama 66 (unless the group is ready and willing). This takes the pressure off students as they grow musically.
Tuition
Tuition is paid by the acendemic year and there is also a reccurring monthly payment plan available. There are no registration or material fees.
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$1,250 for the acedemic year
Students can also join for the second semster (if there are spots available for their instrument).
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$800 for the second semester only
Billing invoices are sent via email after ensemble placements. We accept credit cards and checks. Families who have multiple students enrolled in the program will receive a 50% siblings discount on the tuition fee for the second student.
Scholarships
We believe no child should miss out on the opportunity and enrichment that music education provides.
Full, half and gap scholarships are available to students who show merit and whose families demonstrate financial need.
Registration
2023-2024 – Registration Now Open!
Now accepting registration for the 2023-24 academic year.
*All new and returning students must register
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New students will receive an email to sign up for in-person auditions.
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Returning students are required to submit a video audition.
Important Dates:
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July 29: Registration Closes
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July 30: Audition Videos Due For Returning Students
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August 12-13: In-Person Auditions for NEW students
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September 16: Classes Begin
Register for Workshop Ensemble Classes ⬇️
Audition Process
Workshop Ensemble Students
No Audition Required
Potential workshop students are not required to audition. However, we strongly encourage students to audition using the FUNdamentals guidelines (see audition requirements below).
Why do you encourage potential workshop students to audition?
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Students will learn how the audition process works and that it isn't something they need to fear—auditions are just a way for us to gauge where a student is in their musical journey.
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Often, students don't realize what they can achieve with a bit of hard work. We've had multiple students who after auditioning, end up being placed in higher level ensembles.
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After auditions, students mostly come away with a better understanding of their growth opportunities and a sense of accomplishment for having gone through the process.
Potential workshop students who wish to audition, please see the information below:
Students who are new to YLJC and students who completed the workshop program will have in-person auditions August 12, 2023.
After new students register, an email is sent with a link to sign up for auditions. In-person auditions for new students are required so adjudicators can get a better sense of the student’s skill level and place them appropriately.
In-person auditions take place at 2590 Truxtun Rd., Building 176, Ste. 102, San Diego, CA 92106
Placement Process
After in-person and video auditions are held/received, artistic director Gilbert Castellanos will place students into ensembles.
Mr. Castellanos takes placements very seriously and places students into groups with others who are at similar levels.
Placements are not based on day or time of class meetings. Sports and other activities conflicting with our fall semester classes are common and these students usually audition for the spring semester.
"Learning music is a journey that is unique to each individual. Creating and playing jazz is not a competition, it's a collaboration with other musicians. Wherever a musician is in their journey, accepting their position and working to improve the group as a whole as well as individually, is the best pathway to growth. This can also be applied in everyday life!"
- Gilbert Castellanos
Placement announcements are sent via email.
Audition Requirements
No Audition Required for Workshop Ensembles
There are no audition requirements for Workshop students. However, we strongly encourage students to audition using the FUNdamentals guidelines ⬇️
For workshop students wishing to audition, go to our Youth Ensembles page and locate the “Audition Requirements", click on your instrument and locate the “FUNdamentals” guidelines.
In-person auditions for Fall 2023-24 will take place on August 12, 2023 at YLJC's Rehearsal Space (Liberty Station)
Why do you encourage potential workshop students to audition?
-
Students will learn how the audition process works and that it isn't something they need to fear—auditions are just a way for us to gauge where a student is in their musical journey.
-
Often, students don't realize what they can achieve with a bit of hard work. We've had multiple students who after auditioning, end up being placed in higher level ensembles.
-
After auditions, students mostly come away with a better understanding of their growth opportunities and a sense of accomplishment for having gone through the process.