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TheWilmington Youth Jazz Band

Our Band

We are a non-profit organization that was founded in 2004 by Wilmington’s own Fostina Dixon-Kilgoe. Fostina was awarded a grant as an alumnus of Berklee College of Music to launch this program.

Our Mission

Our mission is to expose, educate and culturally enrich students through learning jazz music in an effort to maintain and expand jazz throughout our communities. This effort reaches youth from economical and culturally diverse backgrounds.

Our Commitment

With the commitment and dedication of our students and staff, we are committed to our community and musical excellence.

The Band is Back

 The 2024 Spring Season is starting the week of February 5th. Click below to register today!

Register

Helping children grow and succeed with exceptional jazz instruction and cultural enrichment.

About the band

The Wilmington Youth Jazz Band (WYJB) consists of Wilmington’s finest young musicians aged 10 to 25.  We offer our students the opportunity to improve their improvisational skills while developing the fundamentals of jazz musicianship in a fun group ensemble setting. We have developed a robust instructional program, as well as a concert schedule which serves to transform young students into confident jazz performers.

We operate in partnership with Berklee College School of Music. As part of our curriculum all students are enrolled in the Berklee PULSE Music Method. This is a web based program that is accessed through the Berklee City Music Network nationwide. It offers a fun and innovative way to provide online music instruction in tandem with our weekly ensemble instruction.

Financial Assistance Available

Scholarships

If your child is eligible for a free or reduced school lunch program and you would like to apply for one of our scholarships, please utilize the link below.

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Payment Plans

Payment plans are available for those who do not qualify for assistance through the free or reduced lunch program.

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Inspirational Quotes

Robert ‘Boysie’ Lowery
    Robert ‘Boysie’ Lowery

    A mind in music has to be disciplined. You have to control it because the mind is a magnet for a lot of things and you have to be able to express the ideas you want to express.

    Dizzy Gillespie
      Dizzy Gillespie

      I always try to teach by example and not force my ideas on a young musician. One of the reasons we’re here is to be a part of this process of exchange

      Charlie Parker
        Charlie Parker

        Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn. They teach you there’s a boundary line to music. But, man, there’s no boundary line to art.