The Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra was founded in the June 2011 by Dr. Gordon Vernick. This group was originally part of the Metro Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble (MAYWE). RYJO consists of two groups, the jazz orchestra and jazz combo; the jazz combo component was added for the more advanced improvisers.

The big band is under the direction of Dr. Gordon Vernick, with assistance from our faculty: Justin Varnes, Kevin Bales, Mace Hibbard, Wes Funderburk, and current GSU Graduate Teaching Assistants. You can read the bios of these outstanding teachers and performers or go to their websites. The combo is under the direction of Kevin Bales.

Jazz is American music and it is important to protect and preserve this important musical and cultural heritage. The best way to do this is to teach young musicians about the art form through performance. Our big band and jazz combo performs music that is historically significant as well as challenging. The students receive outstanding instruction in jazz performance, jazz history, and jazz improvisation from our faculty. In rehearsals we stress personal responsibility, musicianship, team work, and artistic expression.

I have envisioned this select high school group as a continuation of our middle school jazz program, Rialto Jazz for Kids. I treat the musicians as professionals, even though they are still of high school age. Many of the graduating high school students go on to become music majors in college. Former band members are currently attending the University of North Texas, Georgia State, the University of Georgia, Kennesaw State, Florida State, and the University of Miami.

Last year participating high school students came from the following counties: Fulton, Cobb, Dekalb, Gwinnett, and Fayette. The students are selected through auditions. Home school students are encouraged to audition also.

Some highlights from this past school year include three concerts at Georgia State University, the Atlanta Jazz Festival in Piedmont Park, and an invitation to perform for the Governors Inaugural Reception at Philips Arena. We supply all music and folders---the students will purchase long and short sleeve shirts for our performances. It is also helpful if each student brings a 4 GB flash drive to rehearsals so I can give them important recordings to listen to.