About the PHS Jazz Program

The Parkland Jazz groups have a long tradition of performing various styles of jazz in our community.  Membership is gained through an audition held in the spring of the previous school year.  

During December and January the Parkland Jazz Band is well known for it's performances at all Parkland home Boys Basketball games.  Each member is assigned a "Red" or "Gray" designation and is responsible for performances at only the games and rehearsals assigned to that particular color.  Should conflicts with the basketball schedule arise, students may trade with a student from the other color, provided that student plays the same part.  Students wishing to trade games must complete and submit a substitute form to the Director prior to the date of trade.  All students are responsible for attending the number of performances originally assigned.  If a student cannot find a substitute for a basketball performance he or she is still responsible for attendance at that performance.  Substitute forms are available on the Jazz Forms page.

In addition to their schedule performing at Parkland Basketball, Parkland Jazz spends a majority of the winter and spring months learning the various styles of jazz and improvisation, and then performing their work in our local community, as well as at local jazz festivals.  Students can be in one of two groups determined by a second audition held in the fall.  Advanced students perform in the Jazz Ensemble, which rehearses on Tuesday after school and holds sectionals on Thursday after school.  Students not selected for Jazz Ensemble or who cannot commit to the Jazz Ensemble rehearsal schedule will be members of the Lab Band.  Lab Band meets Thursdays after school during the second semester and focuses on jazz improvisation skills in addition to learning full ensemble jazz works.  Both Jazz Ensemble and Lab Band perform on the annual school district spring jazz concert held in conjunction with both Parkland Middle School jazz bands.