THE KNOXVILLE JAZZ YOUTH ORCHESTRA is an honors band under the direction KJO lead trombonist Tom Lundberg. The band is open to high school students from across East Tennessee and is chosen by audition each Fall. The group rehearses weekly from September through May and performs several concerts around the region each year. For a list of upcoming performances, see the link below.
UPCOMING: FALL KJYO AUDITIONS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
6:30 P.M.
JOY OF MUSIC SCHOOL
We’ll hear students in the order that they sign in the evening of the audition. Sign-in sheets will be available starting at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, The first (organizational) rehearsal for KJYO will be the following Wednesday, September 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. The Joy of Music School is located at 1209 Euclid Ave NW, Knoxville, TN 37921.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Saxophones, trumpets, and trombones will be asked to perform a prepared piece. Please follow the links below to download the music for your instrument. Major and chromatic scales over the full range of your instrument and sight-reading will also be required. Improvisation will be optional for the audition. Students may choose to improvise over a 12 bar blues progression in Concert "F." A play-a-long recording will be provided. Students may also improvise on a standard tune of their choice. If so, please provide your own backing track.
Pianists, bassists, and guitarists should be prepared to sight-read a chord progression. Pianists and guitarists will be required to play 4 choruses on a 12 bar blues progression, comping for 2 choruses, and improvising for 2 choruses. Bassists will be asked to walk a bass line. Major scales will also be required.
Drummers will be asked to play time in a swing style, latin style and rock/funk style. They will also be asked to sight-read a drum part from a big band arrangement.
Tenor saxophone prepared piece
Baritone saxophone prepared piece
VIEW THE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE →
Questions? Email Tom
Meet the KJYO Class of 2025
Bradley Witzel Bearden High, ‘25
Bradley was initially drawn to the KJYO by a desire to play more jazz and play it with other musicians. He’d been playing for a few years at that point, but wanted to better his abilities.
“I wanted a space where I could grow my ability to play jazz, and that's exactly what I found in the KJYO. I am forever grateful to KJYO for giving me the tools and knowledge to become a better musician and player.”
What’s Next
Bradley is studying studio music and jazz at UT Knoxville this fall, staying in town the next few years. Eventually, he’d like to move around the country for different jazz scenes and broaden his musical horizons.
KJ Kirk
Maryville High, ‘25
KJ was called to sub once the year before he participated, and he learned more in that two-hour span than he had ever before, so he auditioned and won a spot.
“Because jazz music tends to follow a form of choruses rather than what classical does, I have gotten way better at feeling the form of the tune and where we are in that form.”
What’s Next
KJ is attending the University of Tennessee Knoxville this fall to pursue a degree in Trumpet Performance.
Mimi Terry
Maryville High, ‘25
Mimi began her jazz experience under the KJO when she was 9, successfully competing for the piano chair in the Knoxville Jazz Middle-School Orchestra with director Valerie Sanders.
After the KJMO, she earned the piano chair in the Knoxville Jazz Youth Orchestra under the direction of Tom Lundberg. As she progressed in her jazz studies, the KJO opened even more doors to her, including experiences at the Knoxville Jazz Workshop, the Emporium and Jazz on the Square. She was a featured player at the KJO’s 25th anniversary show in 2025.
“The KJO provided both the impetus and structure for me to learn, arrange, compose and perform. At every stage of my musical development, the KJO was there, stretching their opportunities wide to include me often … all in line with my goals and aspirations. I’m leaving with a great foundation, thanks to the KJO.”
What’s Next
Berklee College of Music
Sylas Good
Sevier Co. High, ‘25
Sylas was invited by a friend to watch a KJYO rehearsal. At the time, Sylas played the euphonium and had no interest in jazz, but, he says, he did want to hangout with his friend, so he decided to go. That night, the band played “God Bless the Child” with his friend John as a featured soloist and Sylas knew from that moment forward that jazz was what he wanted to pursue. Sylas credits his KJYO and KJO Workshop teachers (Tom Lundberg, Hugh Lindsay, Margherita Fava and others) with teaching him new musical history, technique and theory which all extremely helped his journey to becoming a better musician.
“They also taught me how to carve a path on my own by teaching me the importance of transcription, listening, and how to ask the right questions whenever the opportunity arises. Without them, I would not be half the musician I am today.”
What’s Next
Sylas is attending the University of North Texas to study with Nick Finzer. He plans to major in jazz studies and learning as much as he can about every aspect of the music that he has fallen in love with throughout his years in Knoxville.
Logan Franklin
Bearden High, ‘25
Logan has played in all three of the KJO’s educational programs: three years in the KJO Middle School Band, four in the KJYO, stints with the Knoxville Jazz Workshop. Last spring, Logan was a featured player at the KJO’s 25th anniversary concert. He started attending KJO concerts because his older brother was a drummer in the KJO’s educational programs.
“I picked up electric bass when my dad opened up the School of Rock Music School. Eventually I stumbled onto jazz fusion as a result of my current bass teacher and that’s around the same time I joined the KJO middle school group.”
What’s Next
Berklee School of Music, to major in both double bass and electric bass performance.