On 14th and 15th February, the Asian Youth Jazz Orchestra (AYJO) auditions were held in Singapore at the Lasalle College School of the Arts. Organized by the Japan Foundation Asia Center, the purpose of this event is to give an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for upcoming musicians from Asia to participate in a full-fledged jazz orchestra on a tour throughout Southeast Asia and Japan.
As part of their effort to showcase the image and music of AYJO, a lecture and concert were conducted in conjunction with the auditions by top Jazz musicians and artists from Japan. Led by Mr. Osamu Matsumoto (Music Director of AYJO) and Ms. Mayuko Katakura (Rhythm Section Lecturer), they explained about the theories, arrangements and improvisations of jazz, followed by a combination of performances on jazz, classical, pop, local Southeast Asian folk music and new orchestra pieces.
Selected auditionees for the orchestra will participate in a rehearsal camp in Tokyo on August and will be performing at various cities in Japan and around Southeast Asia from September to January next year.
 
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