Jazz bands

Montrose High School's band program features two full big bands: the Advanced Jazz Band and Intermediate Jazz Band. Both groups have the same “Basie” style big band instrumentation with saxophones, trombones, trumpets, guitar, bass, piano, and drums. The Jazz Bands are selected by audition and/or director approval. The primary focus of each class is on studying the art form of Jazz music as an American art form.  

Advanced Jazz is designed for students to study and perform medium and advanced level jazz literature. Intermediate Jazz Band is designed for students to study and perform medium level jazz literature. Both bands give concerts throughout the year. 

In 2023, the MHS Advanced Jazz Ensemble performed at the Colorado Music Educators Association State Convention at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.  The ensemble consistently receives superior ratings, and was selected as the top performing ensemble of the Colorado West Jazz Festival in 2023 and the Fort Lewis Jazz Festival in 2024 and 2022, opening the evening concert for 8-time Grammy Award winner and bassist Christian McBride and vibraphonist Stefon Harris.