Central Jazz Bands

About The Central Jazz Bands

The Central Jazz Bands are Central High School's premier instrumental performing ensembles. We are the ambassadors to the Central Band program and participate in events all across the region and state. The jazz program is open to all students enrolled in at least one music class. That includes band, orchestra, and choir! The bands kick off the school year with a 3 day camp in mid-August to go over the fundamentals of playing jazz music and review audition material. Auditions for Jazz I typically take place during the first week of school. Then, we rehearse during the school year typically 2 days per week. The bands perform 2 regular concerts every year in the winter and spring. In addition to concerts, the bands will travel around the area to participate in jazz festivals in the spring. Previous festivals the bands have attended include the Stevens Point Jazz Festival, Eau Claire Jazz Festival, and Cotter Jazz Festival. Recently, Jazz I was invited to perform at the 2024 WMEA Conference in Madison, WI.

How Do I Join?

If you want to join the jazz program at the beginning of the school year, all you need to do is register for the jazz band camp for summer school, and you will be good to go! If you are unable to be at the camp, or decide you want to join mid-year, just email Mr. Beron, and we will work out a plan to get you in the band! Auditions for Jazz I take place in mid September while Jazz II is open to everyone and does not require an audition

Regardless of when you join or what band you end up in, it is very important that you are able to attend rehearsals consistently. The bands only meet a few hours a week, so it is very important that all members of the band are present at rehearsal. If you have scheduling conflicts with any of the rehearsals, just communicate with your ensemble director so we can work out a solution

Do I Have To Improvise Solos?

Absolutely not! Nobody is ever forced to improvise solos if they don't feel comfortable. Throughout the year, we will practice different ways to improve your improvisation and hopefully help you gain the confidence to begin improvisation. If you want to have a solo in a certain chart, but don't want to improvise it, we can get a written solo put together for you!

What If I Want To Join, But I Don't Play A "Jazz Instrument"?

Typically a jazz band is made up of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, a vocalist, and a rhythm section comprised of bass, guitar, piano, and drums. Even if you don't play one of those instruments, you can still join! If you play clarinet, flute, euphonium, tuba, or any other "non jazz" instrument, we will find a part for you to play on that instrument. Also, many students have found success learning a different instrument for jazz. Clarinets and flutes have been able to learn saxophone relatively quickly because the embouchure is similar to clarinet, and the fingerings are very similar to flute fingerings. Euphoniums and tuba players have been able to learn the trombone (or bass trombone for tuba players).

What Is The Time Commitment?

The jazz bands rehearse about 3 hours per week outside of school hours. In addition to regular rehearsals, sometimes an ensemble director might add additional rehearsal time as needed. These will be communicated well in advance. We typically try to have 1 performance each month in our schedule. If you are involved in sports or other clubs, we will work with you to find a way to fit jazz band into your schedule!

Who is teaching jazz band?

Meet Mr. Beron (and his cat, Dottie)! Mr. Beron has been involved with jazz since the beginning of his musical career. He participated in his high school's very first jazz program, and continued on into college where he was a member of the UW La Crosse Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Karyn Quinn, and later, Dr. Jeff Erickson. After graduating with a degree in music education and trumpet performance, Mr. Beron continues to play in jazz groups around the area. He enjoys being able to occasionally play with the West Salem Adult Jazz Band, Grumpy Old Men, The La Crosse Jazz Orchestra, and various musical pits including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fiddler on the Roof, White Christmas, and 9 to 5. He also enjoys being on the "classical" side of music playing with the La Crosse Concert Band in the summers, and the La Crosse Wind Symphony. But his real passion lies in jazz music, and he is very excited to share that passion with the members of the Central High School Jazz Band!

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