Edison Preparatory High School
Jazz Band Syllabus
2017-2018
3rd Hour – Jazz Lab II
6th Hour – Jazz Lab I
Directors: Mr. Burnes & Mr. Styers
Course Overview
The Edison Preparatory High School Jazz Band is an advanced level performance ensemble. Jazz band members will perform jazz, big band, Latin, funk and rock music at an advanced level of musicianship. Jazz band members are encouraged and challenged to work together as a cohesive unit, demonstrate characteristic jazz style, develop a jazz vocabulary, improvise, recognize jazz history, and appreciate all styles of jazz music.
Membership
Jazz Lab I is our beginning jazz program for students from 7th through 12th grade. It is open to any middle school students currently enrolled in their correlating band class, and high school students who have played in band before or would like to learn a new instrument. This class teaches the very basics of jazz theory and improvisation, as well as playing in a big band setting.
Students are enrolled Jazz Lab II based on an audition by the directors. Students must be enrolled in a major Edison ensemble to be enrolled in jazz band. This means students must be enrolled in either Concert Band, Choir, or Orchestra. Should a student not be enrolled in one of these classes, they will be asked to change their schedules to accommodate one of the major ensembles or will be asked to remove themselves from the ensembles. Special cases can be arranged upon consultation with the directors. Students who have been selected for jazz ensemble must live up to this privilege by focusing during rehearsal, practicing jazz ensemble material daily, turning in assignments on time, and being open to constructive feedback.
Materials
Students need the following materials during every class rehearsal:
-Instrument in working condition
*If your instrument is being repaired, you must provide a note from your ` parent/guardian and repair shop to the director.
*Some large instruments will be provided to students.
-Equipment for instruments:
*Reeds (plural!), valve and slide oils, slide grease, mutes, etc.
-Music
*Loss of music will be unacceptable. Students will be expected to keep their folders organized.
-Sharpened Pencils (plural!)
Class Rules
*Students will be expected to already be in their seats with all equipment needed to rehearse when the bell has rung. Tardiness will not be tolerated.
*Students will be expected to leave all other distractions in their lockers. Distractions include but are not limited to: Cellphones and other electronic devices, school books, homework, etc.
*Students are expected to come to each rehearsal having practiced their individual parts with a common goal to make each rehearsal more productive.
*Rehearsals are only as good as how well prepared each individual member.
*Students are expected to treat classmates, directors, school property and the band room with respect that they would want for themselves.
**No food or drinks besides water. This is to protect the instruments and band room.
Daily Protocols
1. Arrive on time and set up chairs, stands, instruments and gear. Make sure all required materials are with you at your seat. There will be no restroom breaks during class so use your passing period wisely.
2. After set-up, begin warming up appropriately on your instrument until the director is ready to begin. This means long tones, lip slurs, scale exercises, etc.
3. When rehearsal begins, conversations end and students are expected to listen attentively, even if the director is working with another section.
4. Students are expected to make notes in their music with and without the directors instructions.
5. When the directors dismisses the rehearsal, students are to break down gear, put up equipment, put up chairs and stands and leave the band room in a clean and orderly state.
Levels of Consequences
**Student will be asked to pack up equipment and take notes for the rest of rehearsal**
**Depending on the seriousness of the offense, steps may be skipped at the director's discretion**
***Remember it is an Honor to be in this ensemble and the directors maintain the right to remove ANYONE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ABOVE MENTIONED!!!
Assignments and Grades
*Includes being on time for rehearsals, behavior during rehearsals, and having all the equipment required for class.
*Students will be asked from time to time to perform playing tests over certain areas of their music. In addition, students will be asked to take a copy of the Down Beat magazine and write a report over an article or musician of their choosing, featured in that issue. These assignments will be do at the end of each month.
*Throughout the year students will be expected to perform in various concerts and contests. These performances are mandatory. Students will be notified well in advance of performances and contests and must plan accordingly.
Absences and Tardies
Should a student miss a rehearsal due to being sick, that student is required to provide a parents note stating why they were absent. Though we would appreciate all students planning their doctor, dentist, orthodontist, college visit or any other appointments at another time other than jazz band, should this be the case, students are required to bring a note from their doctor/etc. to excuse their absence. Failure to provide a signed note will result in a zero for their daily grade. An excused absence will be worth half a daily grade.
Being tardy to class will result in loss of points for daily grade. Tardies will only be excused with a pass from a teacher or administrator.
Absences from performances will result in a zero performance grade. There will be no excuses for missing a performance or contest. Should an emergency arise, the director should be notified immediately and it will be the directors decision as to whether the emergency is a valid excuse. If the excuse is valid, the student will be expected to make up the grade in the form of an essay to be assigned by the directors.
Additional Information
Students are not only subject to this syllabus, but to any other expectations that the directors may communicate. Also, this syllabus may be changed during the school year and any changes will be communicated to all students.
Final Thoughts
Your job on stage is not to show the audience or judges how well you can play as an individual,
It is to show them how well you are prepared as an ensemble.
The more you give to the ensemble the more you get,
the more you get from the ensemble the more you will give.
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