Jazz Band

The Owatonna Middle School Jazz Band is an ensemble that meets once per week before school. The Jazz Band rehearses and performs standard jazz repertoire; including swing, rock and latin styles. Participation in band class is a requirement for this ensemble. The Jazz Band normally has four or more performances in the late winter and spring. Rehearsals begin in October. Members are 7th and 8th graders selected through sign-up and try-outs. Standard instrumentation is saxophones, trumpets, trombones, drum set, auxiliary percussion, bass, piano, and guitar. Other instruments are encouraged to participate, but may have addition requirements.

Tryouts for rhythm section instruments (percussion, piano, guitar, and bass) are held on the first rehearsal of October. 7th graders (except rhythm section instruments) are allowed to join the Jazz Band if they earn 1st or 2nd chair in their section. Any 8th graders can join the Jazz Band.

All members must be at all rehearsals and performances. In the case of an unavoidable absence, please email the instructor before hand.

Recordings of many of the songs in our library are here: Jazz Band Media