Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra
The Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra (CYJO) provides opportunities for talented high school age musicians to further their experience in America’s classical music – jazz. Comprised of premier players in grades 9-12 from central Ohio and beyond, the CYJO has a 30-week season during the school year, and performs at the Southern Theatre prior to each of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s Sunday matinee concerts. The ensemble also accepts a limited number of additional performance opportunities throughout the year as the schedule allows. The CYJO plays literature of the highest level with repertoire from the libraries of the great big bands, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Oliver Nelson, Benny Goodman and Dizzy Gillespie. The CYJO is open to saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, guitar, drums and vocals on a limited basis.
Rehearsals are on Sunday afternoons, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., at the Jazz Academy, 769 East Long Street in the Lincoln Theatre complex.
2012-13 Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra members:
Saxophone:
- Christian Donovan, St. Charles Preparatory School
- Vincent Gillotti, Bishop Watterson High School
- Matt Hakes, Grove City High School
- Daniel Parsons, Liberty High School
- Jake Smith, Grove City High School
Trombone:
- Beth Collier, Gahanna Lincoln High School
- Sterling Davis, Northland High School
- William Horner, Grove City High School
- Jeremy Schroeder, Columbus Academy
Trumpet:
- Rasaan Hollis, Westerville South High School
- Brian Poland, Westerville South High School
- Cole Southworth, Dublin Jerome High School
- Spencer Ward, St. Charles Preparatory School
Rhythm Section:
- Luke Berger, Drum Set, Westfall High School
- Jailynn Lake-Noel, Bass, Gahanna Lincoln High School
- Justin Steinhausser, Guitar, Gahanna Lincoln High School
- Micah Thomas, Piano, Westerville South High School
Director: Mark Donavan
Mark Donavan’s broad classroom teaching background and extensive performance resume create an environment that brings the best out of the young musicians he works with. He has launched two central Ohio youth jazz bands: the Columbus Youth Jazz Workshop and the Columbus City Schools Jazz All-Stars. Both groups have brought together students from a variety of backgrounds and have inspired young people to study music in college and to play professionally. Donavan performs in the central Ohio area as a saxophonist and pianist and has appeared on stage with many regional and national acts. His professional writing credits include the Columbus City School district’s music curriculum and a jazz survey course for online learning. Currently the instrumental music director at Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School, Donavan serves as the site coordinator for Berklee College of Music’s City Music Network.