HHS Jazz Band

The Hingham High School Jazz Band is an ensemble open to students in grades 9-12 by audition only. This ensemble features traditional jazz instrumentation (saxophones, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, rhythm section) and rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30pm. Students develop a sense of the development of jazz through the study of influential figures and the performance of significant repertoire covering major styles throughout its history. As improvisation is an essential component of jazz, students are expected to improvise, and are given the opportunity to hone their craft through weekly exercises and performance opportunities. The Jazz Band performs twice per year.

Note: Members of the HHS Jazz Band are eligible to audition for annual MMEA and SEMSBA music festivals.

Regarding the auditions process:

• Auditions are held each June for the following year. Current 8th-11th grade students are allowed to audition, with no auditions being accepted in the fall.

• Students should prepare to play either a solo piece for their instrument, or a part from a recent band or orchestra concert, as well as sight read.

• The Jazz Band requires a rhythm section, (drum set, piano, guitar, bass) but rarely calls for more than two players on a given instrument. In some cases, only one per player per rhythm instrument will be accepted.

• Only rhythm section musicians may not be enrolled in Wind Ensemble or Concert Band.

Jazz auditions will be announced in band and orchestra classes and on the morning announcements each June.