COURSE INFO
CONCERT/SYMPHONIC BAND
8020/8029
(4 credits)
Full Year
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Concert Band is open to students in grades 9-12 who have previously or are currently studying a band instrument (e.g., woodwind, brass, or percussion) at an intermediate level. Symphonic Band is an auditioned ensemble for advanced band students in grades 9-12. Students in both ensembles study wind band repertoire of a variety of styles in preparation for concert performance. Rehearsals include section and/or small ensemble development in addition to large ensemble playing. The ensembles perform in high school concerts, adjudicated festivals, and community events throughout the year. Students also engage with pep band repertoire and are encouraged to participate in pep band performances at home football games during the fall. Public concerts are an integral part of the curriculum and attendance is mandatory and graded. PREREQUISITE: Previous experience playing a traditional band instrument in an ensemble. Membership in Concert or Symphonic Band is required to audition for Jazz Ensemble, MMEA District and All-State Festivals. (While this is a full year course, accommodations to enroll in one semester of the ensemble are made for students who are on an IEP or 504. Please contact the Director of Fine and Performing Arts and Special Education.)
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
8036
(4 credits)
Full Year
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
The Jazz Ensemble is open by audition to advanced student musicians in grades 9-12 who are currently studying a standard Big Band instrument (e.g., saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, drumset). Students develop idiomatic jazz performance practice through the study of etudes, improvisation, and big band charts featuring a wide range of styles such as swing, bop, post-bop, latin, and funk. Auditions are held each spring and the ensemble rehearses on Tuesday afternoons from 2:45-4:15 PM and Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30 PM throughout the school year. The Jazz Ensemble maintains an active performance schedule of school concerts, adjudicated festivals, and various school and community functions; these public concerts are part of the formal curriculum and students are required to attend these events and perform. Membership in Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Lab is required in order to audition for the MMEA Eastern District and All-State Festival Jazz Bands. PREREQUISITE: Students must successfully audition to be enrolled in this ensemble. 9th-11th grade students who play a non-rhythm section instrument (piano, bass, guitar, or drumset) must be members of Concert Band or Symphonic Band to be eligible for Jazz Ensemble.
JAZZ LAB
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(2 credits)
Full Year
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
The Jazz Lab is an introductory jazz band that is open to students who are interested in learning about jazz and have experience playing a band/orchestra instrument or a rhythm section instrument (e.g., drum set, bass, guitar, piano). The ensemble meets on Thursday afternoons from 3:00-4:30 PM throughout the school year. Rehearsals focus on improvisation, gaining idiomatic mastery and fluidity on one’s chosen instrument, and playing a myriad of genres under the umbrella of Black American music. Students will study the works of classic jazz artists (e.g., Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderly) and less traditional jazz composers (e.g., James Brown, Grant Green, Medeski Martin & Wood). Since the Jazz Lab does not have a set instrumentation, students also participate in the creation and crafting of custom arrangements and will have a voice in selecting repertoire. The Jazz Lab performs at school concerts; these public concerts are part of the formal curricula and students are required to attend these events and perform. Membership in Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Lab is required in order to audition for the MMEA Eastern District and All-State Festival Jazz Bands. PREREQUISITE: Previous experience playing in an ensemble (band, orchestra, or rhythm section instrument). No audition or previous jazz experience is required. Students in grades 9 through 11 who play a non-rhythm section instrument must also be enrolled in Concert Band or Symphonic Band to be eligible for Jazz Lab. Students in grades 9 through 11 who play a string instrument must also enroll in String Orchestra or Chamber Orchestra to be eligible for Jazz Lab.
JAZZ IMPROVISATION
8040
(2 credits)
Semester
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Jazz Improvisation is open to students in grades 9-12 who are currently studying an instrument. Students acquire jazz vocabulary (e.g., swing and bop rhythms, chord tones, approach notes, motivic development, bebop scales, arpeggios, and chromaticism) through transcriptions and exercises. Vocabulary is introduced, drilled, and applied to live improvisation on jazz standards featuring the blues form, II-V’s, and rhythm changes.
CONCERT BAND/SYMPHONIC BAND/JAZZ ENSEMBLE ACC
8121/8011/8131
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Grades 10, 11, 12
Students enrolled in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or Jazz Ensemble may enroll in an Accelerated course section to receive academic credit for advanced study and performance on their chosen instrument. Students enrolled in this course must meet all of their ensemble requirements, study their instrument with an approved private instructor, audition for District/Honors groups, perform in an additional ensemble beyond the regular school day, and present a formal solo for their instrument in a recital once each semester. In addition, Symphonic Band Accelerated students are expected to attend one non-Needham formal concert each marking period. PREREQUISITE: A minimum of one year’s previous experience in high school band or department permission.