The Young Sounds of Arizona

The Young Sounds of Arizona at Phoenix Center for the Arts

by Patricia Myers
March 17, 2015

The Young Sounds of Arizona at Phoenix Center for the Arts Spring Concert Phoenix, Arizona March 5, 2015 The two youth jazz bands of Young Sounds of Arizona performed a satisfying concert of cohesive section work and talented soloists before a near-capacity audience that came to hear teenage musicians who attend Phoenix-area high schools. Young Sounds director Vince Wedge introduced the 5'Oclock Band, a septet that opened the concert with a sparkling rendition ...

The Young Sounds of Arizona: Ringers

by Jack Bowers
July 1, 2000

The Young Sounds of Arizona (forty high–school students ages 14–19, not all of whom perform on this album) aren’t in fact Ringers, as the album’s name insinuates — they only play that way! For those few who are unfamiliar with the term, a “ringer,” according to Webster, is “a substitute or addition, as a professional musician hired to strengthen a school orchestra.” While one might swear that is precisely what has happened here, it most emphatically has not. A ringer ...

Young Sounds Of Arizona Announces Free Concert & Master Class With Renowned Tenor Saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi

Source: Marisa Arellano
April 23, 2017

Young Sounds of Arizona is pleased to announce that renowned tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi will be joining our ensembles on Monday May 8th at the Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale for a free performance that is open to the public. “Jerry Bergonzi is a fantastic saxophonist and truly understands jazz at its core. We are thrilled that he will be working with our students and performing with them as well. This is such a unique opportunity for Young Sounds members”, ...
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Keeping jazz music alive with the Young Sounds of Arizona

Source: Michael Ricci
June 1, 2011

PHOENIX—Over the years, studies have shown that kids involved in music programs overwhelmingly do better in school overall. Eric Rasmussen, Music Director of the Young Sounds of Arizona says with music education programs being cut statewide, Young Sounds give talented students an outlet to pursue their musical goals, even if their high school music program is struggling.

Young Sounds is all-city jazz ensemble comprised of the best young jazz talent in the Valley, started in 1971. ...
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