Leyden's Award Winning
Vocal Jazz Ensemble!
2023 Downbeat Student Music Award Winner
Congratulations to the 2021-2022 Leyden Vocal Jazz Ensemble who received the 2023 Downbeat Student Music Award for Small Vocal Jazz Group! This special group of student musicians join our 2018-19, 2017-18 and 2016-17 winners in earning National Award recognition for their school.
But wait! There’s MORE!! This year, senior, Angel Morales submitted his arrangement of “The Water Is Wide” and received the High School Outstanding Award for Jazz Arrangement in the 46th Annual Downbeat Student Music Awards! Congratulations, Angel! We are incredibly honored to be among all the Downbeat Student Music Award winners. Congratulations to all who submitted this year! |
2020 Downbeat Student Music Award Winner
2019 DownBeat Student Music Award Winner
The 2017-18 Vocal Jazz Ensemble was awared a 2019 Downbeat Student Music Award for Small Vocal Jazz Ensemble! Their picture was published in the May Downbeat Magazine! Congratulations on this NATIONAL Award!
2018 Downbeat student music award winner
Auditions include:
1) Warm up exercises to test your range
2) Prepared selection --> Learn the song above!!
3) Short sight reading example
4) Some call and response / improvisation
*You only need to a attend 1 audition location!
*Auditions should take approximately 5 minutes!
*You can be in VJE and Sports!
*You can be in VJE and GraceNotes!
*You can be in VJE and Chambers!
*You can be in VJE and Unresolved!
*You can be in VJE and First Ending!
*You can be in VJE and Clubs!
*You can be in VJE and work!
Leyden High SChool Vocal Jazz Ensemble
The LHS Jazz Choir was formed 21 years ago upon Miss C's arrival. She started with only 5 students who were interested and excited about learning this new style. The interest grew over the next four years, and in 2006, we debuted a 2nd group, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble (VJE).
In the 2010 season, there were over 70 students who auditioned for one of the jazz choirs! There was so much talent, espcially in the female sections, Miss C had to start a 3rd group!! So now our Vocal Jazz Program consists of:
All of our Jazz Ensembles focus on style and improvisation.
Auditions will be held in Nov./Dec.
The Jazz Choirs do NOT conflict with Sports or Theatre!!
YOU can do a Jazz Choir and Sports!
YOU can do a Jazz Choir and do Theatre!
YOU Can do a Jazz Choir and be an Honor Student!
See our Performance List to see if this is something you would be interested in!
Month Type of performance
November Auditions for VJE
December Music of the Holiday's Concert (VJE only)
January Sing 'n Share
March Potential Festival (VJE Only)
Jazz Night (Jazz Choir, Treble Jazz & VJE)
April Spring Concert (VJE Only)
May Pops Concert (VJE only)
Pasta Dinner/Choral Awards (VJE is the only group to perform, Jazz Choir and Treble Jazz are encouraged to attend!!)
In the 2010 season, there were over 70 students who auditioned for one of the jazz choirs! There was so much talent, espcially in the female sections, Miss C had to start a 3rd group!! So now our Vocal Jazz Program consists of:
- VJE - A small, select group of singers. Only 1-2 singers on a part. This ensemble participates in many performances beyond Jazz Night.
- Jazz Choir - A medium size group of singers. Usually 4-6 singers on a part.
- Treble Jazz - A Medium/Larger group with only Women, focusing on the development of correct jazz tone and style.
All of our Jazz Ensembles focus on style and improvisation.
Auditions will be held in Nov./Dec.
The Jazz Choirs do NOT conflict with Sports or Theatre!!
YOU can do a Jazz Choir and Sports!
YOU can do a Jazz Choir and do Theatre!
YOU Can do a Jazz Choir and be an Honor Student!
See our Performance List to see if this is something you would be interested in!
Month Type of performance
November Auditions for VJE
December Music of the Holiday's Concert (VJE only)
January Sing 'n Share
March Potential Festival (VJE Only)
Jazz Night (Jazz Choir, Treble Jazz & VJE)
April Spring Concert (VJE Only)
May Pops Concert (VJE only)
Pasta Dinner/Choral Awards (VJE is the only group to perform, Jazz Choir and Treble Jazz are encouraged to attend!!)