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| Jazz Band |
| The Jazz Band is a small ensemble of 18 to 20 players, open to Symphonic Band students by audtion at the beginning of each school year. Instrumentation is standard "Big Band" which consists of 2 Alto Saxophones, 2 Tenor Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones and a rhythm section. Rehearsals are limited to 2 one hour rehearsals before school each week. Students interested in getting ahead playing jazz are encouraged to practice on SmartMusic; blues scales (concert Bb, Eb & F for starters) and all of their variations, as well as jazz music on screen from the file menu. Drummers who want to work on their jazz "chops" can do so at home with the method book, The Be-Bop Drummer by John Riley. You can order this from any of the local music stores. There are also many jazz improvisation books that have play along CD's with them. I highly recommend either How to Improvise Jazz, Book 1 or Just Blues by Jamey Aebersold. |