What Happens Next?
Questions? Email us at marcus@futurejazzkc.org.
Sign Up & Submit Your Audition by September 10, 2026
The deadline to sign up and submit your audition is 11:59 PM Central Time on September 10, 2026.
Ensembles Start
September 13
Ensembles Start
September 16
Find the Right Ensemble and Start Growing
Future Jazz KC placement auditions help our faculty understand each student’s experience, strengths, and areas for growth. The goal is not to eliminate students—it is to place each young musician in the environment where they can learn, contribute, and develop with confidence.
Spring 2027: New grades 6–8 ensembles begin at both locations.
Placement Audition Process
The process is simple, fully explained, and designed to help us find the best ensemble placement for each student.
Submit the Form
Complete the form above. You will receive a confirmation email with the link and instructions for submitting the placement audition.
Submit the Video
Record and submit the requested placement material. The audition requirements are listed below so students know exactly what to prepare.
Receive Placement Details
After the faculty reviews the submission, families will receive the student’s ensemble placement, tuition information, and required semester forms.
Show Up Ready to Grow
Come ready to play, listen, learn, collaborate, and become part of the Future Jazz KC community.
Why Future Jazz KC?
Students receive serious jazz training in a supportive environment while building the skills, confidence, and musical relationships that help them grow beyond the school band room.
Professional Mentorship
Students learn directly from working professional musicians and experienced educators who perform, compose, arrange, record, and lead ensembles throughout Kansas City and beyond.
Big Band and Combo Experience
Students develop ensemble skills, jazz language, improvisation, leadership, listening, and stage presence through both large-ensemble and small-group instruction.
A Community Beyond School
Future Jazz KC supplements school music programs and connects young musicians from different schools and districts through weekly rehearsals and live performances.
Program Details
Future Jazz KC provides high-level instruction for young musicians at affordable prices and convenient locations. Students rehearse once a week and perform in at least two concerts per semester.
Tuition is $75 a month for high-school students and $60 a month for middle-school students. Financial assistance is available for students who need it.
Students study and perform traditional jazz music while also playing new and commissioned works by leading composers. Future Jazz KC is designed to supplement a student’s current music education and help young musicians build community outside their own school districts.
Overland Park Ensembles
Wednesdays
Big Band: 5:30–7:00 PM
Combo: 7:15–8:30 PM
Starting September 16
Johnson County Community College
Office and Classroom Building, Room 182
12345 College Blvd.
Overland Park, KS 66210
Northland Ensembles
Sundays
Big Band: 5:00–6:30 PM
Combo: 6:45–8:00 PM
Starting September 13
William Jewell College
Pillsbury Music Center, Room 104
500 College Hill
Liberty, MO 64068
Placement Audition Requirements
These materials help the faculty understand each student’s current level and determine the most appropriate ensemble placement.
Instrumentalists
Students should be prepared to perform:
- B-flat major scale
- C major scale
- F Dorian minor scale
- Improvisation over two choruses of an F blues
Drummers
Drummers should demonstrate:
- Swing
- Bossa nova
- Jazz ballad
- Basic time, feel, and musical consistency