Jazz Band

ECMS Jazz Band 2025-2026

The ECMS Jazz Band is an after school activity that meets on Monday afternoons from 2:45 until 4:15 PM.  There is no charge to participate in this ensemble, but students who win their audition and decide to participate must be committed to the ensemble for the entire school year.  Auditions will take place on Wednesday, August 20  in the ECMS Band Room. The results will be announced by the end of the day on August 22th. Students will begin rehearsing every Monday, beginning on August 25

The Jazz Band is designed to be one of the premiere ensembles of the ECMS Band Program, and is open to all 7th and 8th grade students who play the following instruments: Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Bass, Drum Set/Vibraphone and/or Piano.  In order to maintain a balanced ensemble, there will be an audition process to fill out the band, which is based on traditional Big Band instrumentation.  

The open slots are as follows:

Saxophones

Alto Saxophone I

Alto Saxophone II

Tenor Saxophone I

Tenor Saxophone II

Baritone Saxophone

Trombones

Trombone I

Trombone II

Trombone III

Trombone IV

Trumpets 

Trumpet 1

Trumpet 2

Trumpet 3

Trumpet 4

Drumset/Vibes

Maximum 2 musicians

Bass

Maximum 2 musicians

Piano

Maximum 2 musicians

The instrumentation of the Wind instruments (Saxophone, trumpets, trombones) has some flexibility in it per the director’s discretion.  (An example: the director hears 5 very strong trumpet auditions, and chooses to double a part to expand the section to 5 players).  

All Wind Instrument musicians and percussionists must be a part of the ECMS Band Program during the normal school day and be in good standing with the director. 

Piano and Bass players are not required to be part of the ECMS Band Program, as long as they demonstrate proficiency in their audition, and are taking Jazz specific private lessons outside of school.  Bass players must provide their own bass and pick-up for rehearsals and performances.  ECMS has an AMP that can be used.

All students selected to participate in the Jazz Band are expected to be at all rehearsals and performances, and are expected to clear their schedule in advance.  Emergencies will be discussed on a case by case basis.  Students who plan on participating in sports will be excused from jazz rehearsals in the event of a game or athletic competition, with the exception of the rehearsal immediately preceding a performance.  Students with excessive absences may be excused from the group.

All students selected to participate in the Jazz Band are expected to improvise during class and during performances.  Improvisation is something we will work on regularly, and is one of the key components of jazz music.  Learning to improvise is similar to learning a new language, we start with little pieces and work our way up from there.  All students are expected to be supportive of one another at all times.  

All students are expected to practice their jazz music a minimum of 15 minutes per day above and beyond their regular concert band practicing.  

Students should have a ride waiting for them at 4:15 PM.  Students have permission to ride the activity bus as long as there is room.