Standards and Innovations
In Jazz Band, students develop skills in jazz performance through knowledge of styles and performance techniques of varied jazz and contemporary literature. Content includes technical skills, individual and ensemble techniques, performance styles, jazz idioms, rhythms, and articulation, and an emphasis on improvisation. Students compose, arrange, and analyze literature and their own and others’ performances. Students study the history, role, and influence of jazz and contemporary music and musicians.
Jazz Band is the only ensemble with vocalists.
Jazz Band is open to students by audition and Band Director approval. The band performs frequently, including at evening and weekend events and off-campus venues. Some favorite annual performances are Siesta Stroll, Glenridge Holiday Jazz, and Jazz Under the Stars.
Practice expectations: 40 minutes per day, recommended.
Concert uniform: Black slacks, black socks, black closed toe shoes, a blue collared shirt, and a black jacket. Students will be given order forms early in the fall for the blue collared shirts, which are ordered directly through the band program; the remaining uniform components (black separate pieces) should be purchased individually by families prior to the first annual concert.