General Information

The Jazz Ensemble is an indoor ensemble that meets prior to the start of the school day starting in early November through mid-May. This extra-curricular ensemble is an opportunity for students to explore a wide variety of musical styles through the idiom of the American jazz ensemble. The Jazz Ensembles perform through the winter and spring seasons at the Winter Concert, All School Band Night, Awards Concert, and several Jazz Festivals in the tri-state area.

Membership

Membership in the Jazz Ensemble open to all students who are enrolled in the Concert or Symphonic Band and play traditional jazz band instruments. In the past, Fort Madison High School has maintained two or three ensembles, depending on interest. There is an audition process is to determine the best placement for you within the ensemble(s), as well as to give the director an indication of how many ensembles we are able to outfit yearly. Any student wishing to be a member of any ensemble in the jazz program is required to audition, but everyone who auditions will have a place in at least one of the Jazz Ensembles.

Ideal instrumentation for each ensemble is 2 alto saxes, 2 tenor saxes, 1 bari sax, 5 trumpets, 4 trombones (baritones on valve trombones), 1 keyboard/piano player, 1 bass player, 1 guitar player, 1 mallet player, 1 drum set player, and 1 percussionist. We will strive for that instrumentation, but will be flexible based on the number of students auditioning.

Students may audition on more than one instrument and may be admitted to one or two ensembles (no more). However, to comply with IHSMA rules, if a student is admitted to more than one ensemble, they must be performing in two separate basic instrument families. For example, a student may play in one ensemble as a saxophone player, and the other on trombone (representing woodwinds and brass), but they may not be in one ensemble as a trumpet player, and the other as a trombone as both are in the brass family. Students who wish to participate on multiple instruments should submit an audition for each instrument.

Please go to the following link to read more about audition philosophy.

Rehearsal Expectations

Ensembles will rehearse regularly starting in early November through mid-May. The weekly schedule will be solidified once the ensemble personnel has been established. Rehearsal times will be from 7:30am - 8:05. The band room will be open by 7:20 each day. Students will be expected to be in the band room, set up, and ready to play at 7:30am. Consistent failure to meet this requirement will result in forfeiting your position in the ensemble. Specific rehearsal procedures can be found in the Band Handbook.

In addition to rehearsal time, students are also expected to practice independently outside of class. This can be done at home, or during free periods of the school day. For tips on practicing, check out the musicianship page of this website.

Event Dates

• • Events are posted on the EVENT page in the Band App. Please contact Mr. Zaccari for details about the App, and how to sign up.