Middle & high school
A year-long performing ensemble for young musicians ready to grow through rewarding repertoire, teamwork, and regular performance.
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Listen, improvise, and play together
Youth Jazz Program
A year-long auditioned performing ensemble where middle and high school musicians develop rhythm, ensemble awareness, improvisation, and confidence through regular rehearsals, concerts, clinician workshops, and recording experiences.
Directed by Aaron Bradford Eide
Download the program information packetSpots are available
Students can join at any time.
New musicians are welcome throughout the season. Tell us about your student, and we’ll help them get started with the current concert cycle.
How the program works
Learning jazz by playing jazz.
The PAC Music Youth Jazz Band gives dedicated middle and high school musicians the opportunity to perform charts ranging from jazz standards to modern video game music in a professional ensemble setting.
Each concert cycle balances three level-appropriate charts that prepare the ensemble for a successful performance with two higher-level charts chosen to stretch students and promote musical growth.
Weekly rehearsals, guest clinicians, concerts, professional audio recordings, and a season-end recording session connect rhythm, listening, repertoire, and improvisation with real performance experience.
Concert-cycle resources and PAC Sound Slices provide structured practice materials and full-band backing tracks students can revisit between rehearsals.
Explore Jazz Sound Slices →Auditioned ensemble
Auditions help the director choose appropriate repertoire and make lead, section, placement, and featured-solo assignments.
$125 per month
Monthly tuition reserves the student’s place and supports rehearsal space, music, clinician instruction, recordings, and program operations.
Season-long commitment
Consistent attendance and preparation are essential. Dress rehearsals, concerts, clinician workshops, and the recording session are mandatory except by prior approval or emergency.
The ensemble experience
More than a weekly rehearsal.
- Weekly direction by a professional musician and educator
- Instruction from high-level working professional musicians
- Guest-clinician workshops during each concert cycle
- Lead, section, and featured-solo opportunities
- A wide variety of jazz styles and repertoire
- Professional recordings and a season-end recording session
- Concerts and Summer Performance Series opportunities
- A welcoming focus on growth, teamwork, and musical excellence
2026–2027 inaugural season
Three concert cycles and a summer gigging season.
The program is split into three concert-cycle parts, each building toward the final Spring Showcase Concert. Regular rehearsals are Mondays from 6:00–7:00 PM, with calendar updates shared by email.
September 14–December 6
Dress rehearsal December 4 · Fall concert December 6
December 7–March 14
Dress rehearsal March 12 · Winter concert March 14
March 15–June 12
Dress rehearsal June 4 · Spring Showcase Concert June 6
June–August
Additional summer gig dates will be announced as performance opportunities become available.
Come prepared
What students bring each week.
- Instrument and required accessories
- Music binder and assigned music
- Pencil for marking music
- Reeds, valve oil, sticks, mallets, picks, or other instrument-specific supplies
- Preparation on assigned music and weekly reference listening
Questions about the program?Frequently asked questions
Can students join after the season has started?
Yes. Students may join at any time during the season. Students who enter in the middle of a concert cycle may participate in that cycle’s concert at the director’s discretion, helping ensure they are prepared and have a fun, meaningful performance experience.
Who is the Youth Jazz Band for?
The ensemble is designed for dedicated middle and high school musicians. An audition helps determine placement, parts, and repertoire that support each student’s success. Many charts also include easier versions, helping make the concert repertoire accessible to students at a wide range of playing levels.
When and where are rehearsals?
Regular rehearsals are Mondays from 6:00–7:00 PM at the Enumclaw Music Building, 1515 Cole Street in Enumclaw.
Do students need prior jazz experience?
No. Prior jazz experience is not required. Students learn jazz vocabulary, rhythm, listening, and improvisation through guided rehearsal and performance.
Will I have to solo?
No student who is uncomfortable with soloing will be required to solo in a concert; performance solos are given to volunteers. Students will practice soloing during rehearsals, but mastery is never expected—learning without mistakes leaves little room for discovery.
How much does the program cost?
Tuition is $125 per month and reserves the student’s place in the ensemble.
What should students bring to rehearsal?
Students should bring their instrument and accessories, assigned music in a binder, a pencil, and any instrument-specific supplies such as reeds, sticks, mallets, picks, or valve oil.
Youth Jazz inquiry
Tell us about your musician.
Share a few details about the student and their experience. Aaron will follow up about the audition, ensemble placement, and enrollment, then add accepted students to My Music Staff.