Jazz Band is a select group that meets after school Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 3:15 – 4:15 pm.
We will explore jazz styles, including swing, Latin, funk, rock, and ballad styles.
An emphasis will be made on improvisational skills, which are the cornerstone of jazz music.
We perform at the MAJE Junior District Jazz Festival in May.
Jazz Band is open to students in grades 6-8. Acceptance into the group is based on a playing audition and instrumentation needs. Effort and attitude in band rehearsal will also weigh in the decision. Students in Jazz Band must be in a performing group (band, orchestra, or chorus) during the school day, with the exception of students playing guitar or piano. Attendance is expected at all Jazz Band rehearsals, and private lessons are VERY STRONGLY encouraged.
Jazz Band performs at several events throughout the school year, including assemblies during the school day and evening concerts. We perform at the MAJE Junior District Jazz Festival in May. Students in grades 7 and 8 are encouraged to work towards auditioning for the Junior District Jazz Band. (Information here.)
We play morning hallway concerts BEFORE school the day winter break begins (if enough members are available) and the last Friday of the school year
I encourage you to audition, even if you are not feeling strong on all the skills (such as scales). Last year we didn't progress as much as usual because of COVID and Zoom band practices. Just come meet with me and play a bit for me to show me what you can do! I know the challenges we have faced, and we will only progress from here. If you'd rather play a favorite song for me, or something else you have practiced, I'd love to hear that.
Please follow THIS LINK to sign up for a time to meet with Ms. Pagano.
Auditions
Auditions will take place Monday, Sept. 20, Tuesday, Sept. 21, Wednesday, Sept. 22, Thurs, Sept. 23, and Friday, Sept. 24. You may audition after school or during a study block, if I am available and you make arrangements with me in advance. Results will be posted as early as Friday, Sept. 24 and rehearsals will begin the following week, September 27th.
Everyone interested in Jazz Band MUST audition. Nobody is guaranteed a seat, regardless of last year’s participation. However, priority will be given to former members, as long as they come to the audition prepared and have demonstrated positive effort, attitude, and participation in the past.
All auditions are 10 minutes long.
2021 Audition Requirements for Jazz Band
All Winds, Piano, Guitar, Upright or Electric Bass:
· Chromatic scale, one octave ascending and descending, memorized.
· Major scales, up to 3 sharps and 3 flats. (C, G, D, F, and B-flat major) Scales can be found here.
· Assigned piece: "Blues by Five" by Red Garland
Played here by the Miles Davis Quintet: https://youtu.be/EaBAfHs4Qc8
Please LISTEN TO the song! Listening is absolutely essential to learn to play with good style and sound.
Here is the music (lead sheet):
Blues By Five (C instruments) - flute, piano, guitar, vibes, DRUM SET lead sheet
Blues By Five (Bb instruments) - trumpet, tenor sax, clarinet
Blues By Five optional LOW clarinet/trumpet part
Blues By Five (Eb instruments) - alto sax
Blues By Five (Bass Clef) - trombones, euphonium, tuba
Practice Audio Tracks:
Here is a "play-along" track. The track goes through the "head" twice, then goes into solo choruses.
This means you play the melody twice, then improvise over the changes for Bb blues. Your concert Bb blues scale is written on the second page of the audition music, as is a sample bass line and guitar voicings.
Here are "play-along" practice tracks (made by me with iReal Pro):
PLAY ALONG TRACK for drummers (no drums in track)
Be ready to play along with a backing track in your audition.
Improvisation will add to your audition score, but will not count against you if you aren't ready to try yet. Use the Bb blues scale. It is on the second page of the audition music. I will teach you how to improvise, so if you don't know how to approach this yet, it's ok! At least learn the notes of the Bb blues scale, and I will help you learn to make your own sounds with it.
There will be sight-reading (a very short section of music in swing style).
Special Instructions for Rhythm Section Players:
Piano : play both melody of "Blues By Five"and be able to "comp" on the chord progression using jazz chord voicings. (Voicings found on page two of audition music.)
Be able to comp a basic 12-bar I7-IV7-V7 Bb blues (see changes below)
Guitar: play both the melody of "Blues By Five" and also be able to strum the chord progression.
Bass only: be able to play the melody of "Blues By Five" and also construct a walking bass. Chord progression and walking bass line is on the second page of the audition music.
Drum set: In addition to preparing the assigned piece from a lead sheet (be ready to play with the below play-along track and please play the hits you hear in the recording/video), please demonstrate the following:
· A Bossa Nova or other Latin groove
· A rock or funk groove
If you audition for jazz band and are not accepted for any reason, please join Jazz Lab!
We learn lots of jazz fundamentals in Jazz Lab, such as improvisation and how to play in a swing style. It is also a great foundation to prepare to audition for Jazz Band in 7th and 8th grade or even a high school jazz ensemble.
Jazz Lab may add new members on a rolling basis, but the Jazz Band roster is set at auditions and remains through the year.
Jazz Band will rehearse after school on Tuesdays and Fridays, 3:15-4:15.
Jazz Lab Band will rehearse after school on Thursdays, 3:15-4:15.
The first Jazz Band rehearsal will be Tuesday, September 28th, 3:15 – 4:15.
The first Lab Band rehearsal will be Thursday, September 30th, 3:15-4:15.