As hundreds of secondary students visit Tauranga next week for 2025’s National Youth Jazz Competition, 18 youngsters will enjoy an “unforgettable” new initiative of the contest.
Sponsored by the Wright Family Foundation, the 47th competition will attract more than 700 students from across Aotearoa to Baycourt Community & Arts Centre to perform from April 7-9.
This year the event will also host an auditioned National Youth Competition Big Band of 18 students, who will perform in the April 9 prizegiving from 4.45pm-6pm in Addison Theatre.
“We are focused now on raising the level of jazz performance and for the first time we have held auditions nationally for a high performing NYJC Big Band,” said competition manager Liam Ryan.
“We’ve had auditions from 70 top Year 12-13 students from across the country and have chosen the top 18 players to be in the band. It’s a very exciting development.”
Chosen players come from Wellington, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Auckland, Rotorua and Tauranga.
John Page leading Tauranga Boys' College Big Band.
Ryan said the NYJC Big Band will be assembled at next week’s competition under the direction of music educator Paul Norman. With the assistance of Tauranga music colleague John Page, Norman auditioned students and chose the band’s repertoire.
“We are thrilled to witness the remarkable talent that has emerged from our national auditions,” said Norman, reflecting on the significance of this year’s competition.
“The dedication and passion of these young musicians promise an unforgettable experience.”
An auditioned 2025 NYJC Honours Combo will also perform on April 9, from 7pm-7.30pm at Baycourt’s X Space.
The performance will wrap up the competition, which annually showcases the best emerging jazz players from around New Zealand as young musicians compete for trophies, prizes and awards.
Held just before Easter this year – due to school holidays – the competition is growing and evolving, said Ryan.
“This year more than 740 students’ jazz music will fill Addison Theatre and X Space at the Baycourt Community & Arts Centre.”
Tickets are on sale from $12 at Eventfinda or in person at Baycourt Community & Arts Centre.
For more information, visit www.nationalyouthjazz.org.nz.
2 comments
Hmmm
Posted on 07-04-2025 14:31 | By Let's get real
I have never understood why anybody would pick Jazz as an entry into music... It's probably not something that school children would choose, given a choice, and therefore I must presume that a minority group is leading the direction of our school curriculum.
Ask just about any child, that picks up an instrument, why? And they're not going to say "because I just love Jazz".
Even the "greats" were better musicians and singers in other genres.
But we insist on drowning our youngsters in the past, rather than drawing a line under dated events and pastimes and allowing them to think about their future, wherever that might be.
Let's get real
Posted on 07-04-2025 19:08 | By This Guy
Just because you do not appreciate jazz, does not mean the rest of the world feels the same way. Did you forget that Tauranga has a JAZZ FEST every year? Plenty of children go to that and experience jazz there, I'm sure it's inspired many kids to go pick up an instrument. A lot more likely than the absurd presumption that the "evil minority groups are poisoning the school curriculum with dreaded jazz music!"
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