THE BIX YOUTH BAND
The Bix Youth Band is an audition-only youth jazz band comprised of middle and high school students from around the Quad Cities region. The band spreads the music of Bix Beiderbecke and other early 20th century artists, creates professional performance opportunities for students, and furthers jazz education in the Quad Cities.
SUPPORT THE YOUTH BAND
You can direct your gift to support the Bix Youth Band! Your gift funds the scholarship awards awarded to each member upon completion of their program year.
To designate your gift to the Youth Band, select “Bix Youth Band Only” on the donation form, or click here to learn how to donate by check.
Click here to make a gift in support of the Youth Band:
ABOUT THE BIX YOUTH BAND
The Bix Society Youth Jazz Band was founded in 2001 to act as ambassadors for the Bix Jazz Festival in Davenport, Iowa. Chosen by audition, the band includes members from 8th through 12th grades and is open to all area schools.
Rehearsals of the band start in January each year and run through July, culminating in performances at the Bix Jazz Festival in August. The band also appears at many other venues in the QCA, prior to the Festival.
The band focuses on learning to perform jazz music from the Big Band Era in the period of the 1920s, when Bix was making a name for himself, as well as music that developed through the 1930s, 40s, 50s and beyond.
Members of the band have also received high marks individually, at solo and ensemble contests and honor bands in Iowa and Illinois, while many go on to major in music in college.
AUDITIONS
Auditions typically take place in December, and will be announced by November 1st.
Eligibility:
Must be in 8th-12th grade during this current school year.
Rehearsal Schedule:
The band typically rehearses on the following schedule:
January through May: Every other week on Sunday afternoons.
June and July: Every Sunday afternoon.
Performance Schedule:
Band members need to be available to perform at the Bix Jazz Festival sessions: August 6 & 7, 2027
Other performance opportunities may be offered during the course of the year.
Scholarship Information:
Each band member who participates in the band for the full year will receive a small scholarship at the conclusion of the year.
Additional details regarding scholarships and expectations will be provided during the audition process.
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