Contemporary Jazz

The Contemporary Jazz ensemble is designed for high level student performers who are focused on their development as jazz instrumentalists. This ensemble will perform repertoire from the contemporary jazz genre, which has been developed out of the jazz tradition and been influenced by world music and contemporary popular music. Additionally, the ensemble will perform previously performed and original contemporary jazz compositions by the teacher. Students will be encouraged to present their original contemporary jazz compositions as material to be performed by the ensemble. Students will gain ensemble experience through weekly performances that focus on group interaction, swinging, dynamics, phrasing, as well as individual and group improvisation. Emphasis will be given to hearing and expressing your musical ideas with stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.