Jazz Ensemble

The Jazz Ensemble is an advanced-level band for woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians in grades 10-12. This ensemble performs jazz and big band repertoire for all major performances and is open to instrumentalists who play the saxophone, trombone, trumpet, drumset, piano, guitar, and bass. In addition to Walter Johnson's winter and spring concerts, this ensemble represents Walter Johnson High School at the MCPS High School Band Adjudication Festival. As a rising sophomore, junior, or senior, interested students must submit a placement recording that demonstrates prior skill-building and knowledge of the genre in order to enroll for this class.

0.5 credit per semester

Students develop a high level of skill in the performance of jazz, blues, jazz-rock, soul, and other styles of music. The emphasis will be on the study of literature composed originally for the jazz idiom during the 20th and 21st centuries. They extend their skills and study of jazz interpretation and improvisation, jazz harmony and theory, and the historical influences on jazz as it developed into an American art form. Additional experiences may include athletic bands, solo/chamber performance, or musical theatre opportunities. In addition to performing music, creating and responding activities are included. This course may be repeated unlimited times for credit. P

Prerequisite:Audition, and the need to balance instrumentation as determined by the director
Grade Level: 10 - 11 - 12
Unlimited repeats for subject credit

This is an Advanced-Level (AL) course which counts towards the MCPS Certificate of Merit (CM)