High School Students Bring the Swing to NWA Jazz All Stars

Northwest Arkansas Jazz All-Stars offers its members the chance to participate in a unique musical community of like-minded, passionate young musicians at a pivotal point in their personal development.

The Northwest Arkansas Jazz All-Stars are an 18 piece jazz, big band composed of high school students from the region. The Jazz All-Stars band will begin swinging in January 2019. Students will take part in an audition to demonstrate their playing ability, knowledge of Jazz music, music theory and sight reading abilities.  If you are a student or know a student who wants to audition for the NWA Jazz All-Star Youth Ensemble, it’s very simple- click the link below!

NWA Jazz All Stars opens the door to professional Jazz experiences, and widens perspectives for students, parents and teachers. Check out the experience of one Jazz All-Star, her parents & a band director!

BasS Trombone Player, Allison Miller shares her All Star Experience:

My favorite memory was being in Conrad Herwig’s dressing room with the band before the concert just talking and having fun.

Jazz All Stars has taught me about what being in a jazz ensemble really means. Junior high all region jazz is not the same. Now I have joined the school’s jazz band I recall my All Star experience at every rehearsal.

My advice for people trying out is don’t over think it, be prepared to work hard, and practice the music at home.

Parents of Jazz All Star, Allison Miller, Want to Thank Walton Arts Center for Providing "an awesome program."

Each week she'd come home from rehearsal and talk about how all of the musicians in the group were working at it and that everyone wanted to be there. That isn't always the case in her public school groups. The concert with Conrad Herwig was really cool too.

There's no question that Allison understands and gets excited to cover her part in an ensemble and can "own" it. Conrad Herwig made a huge impression on her. Being in rehearsals with Matt Beach & the other instructors helped her see where musical performance can really be about. 

She's much more aware of the genre now and is recognizing composers, artists and styles in addition to just recognizing the more familiar jazz tunes. It's opened up a whole new arena for her.

advice for students: Practice up and give the audition a try. The 12 weeks of rehearsals will fly by.

Band Director of two Jazz All Stars, Bill Punch says that this "experience is a catalyst for students to explore the multitude of genres of jazz."

I was fortunate enough to have two of my students successfully audition for the ensemble. The look on their faces after the performances the last two years is proof that the experience has been a hit for these kids.

Once a young musician has the opportunity to experience performing & listening LIVE to big bands they are "hooked" for life.  That experience is a catalyst for them to explore the multitude of genres of jazz.

I know it effected my students that way and I am sure the entire ensemble also felt the same way.

The students interacted with jazz professionals in a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will never forget - I know I remember all the wonderful opportunities I had as a young student.

Advice for students trying out is to LISTEN to jazz of all kinds on all instruments not just their primary, seek out opportunities to listen to LIVE jazz performances and seek private instruction to learn from those of us who have "been there."