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Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra

2011-12 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 comes from 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.

2011-12 Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra members:

Saxophone:

  • William England, Grove City High School
  • Vincent Gillotti, Bishop Watterson High School
  • Matt Hakes, Grove City High School
  • Mark Harrison, Bexley High School
  • Dan Hitchcock, Worthington Kilbourne High School
  • Jake Stankey, Dublin Coffman High School

Trombone:

  • Beth Collier, Gahanna Lincoln High School
  • William Horner, Grove City High School
  • James Seymour, Bexley High School
  • Nate Smallwood, Upper Arlington High School

Trumpet:

  • Mac Connor, Westerville South High School
  • Rasaan Hollis, Westerville South High School
  • Austin O’Connor, Westerville North High School
  • Brian Poland, Westerville South High School

Rhythm Section:

  • Luke Berger, Drum Set, Westfall High School
  • Shashank Sirivolu, Drum Set, Olentangy High School
  • Justin Steinhausser, Guitar, Gahanna Lincoln High School
  • Micah Thomas, Piano, Westerville South High School
  • Richard Wesner, Bass, Dublin Jerome High School

Director Mark Donavan

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.