We will be holding auditions for the 2026-27 Jazz Ensemble (information below) and hope you will audition to be a part of our tradition of performing great music and having fun.
About
The CMS Jazz Ensemble is a co-curricular group designed to challenge students involved in the CMS band program. In Jazz Ensemble, we play music of higher difficulty levels and different styles than that of regular band (jazz standards, swing, funk/rock, popular), and work on improvisation. We are modeled after a traditional big band configuration, which primarily includes Saxophones, Trombones, Trumpets, and a Rhythm Section (Drum set, Auxiliary Percussion, Guitar, Bass, and Piano), however, other instruments may be accepted if they are very interested and successfully audition. The Jazz Ensemble performs several times throughout the school year (see Calendar) at school concerts, and the MAJE Junior Jazz Festival. We have also traveled to Festival Disney (Orlando, Florida), New York City, and plan to travel again in the future.
Schedule and Attendance
CMS Jazz Ensemble meets on Thursdays after school in the CMS Band Room until 3:30pm (first late bus). Consistent attendance is essential to the ensemble's success, and students who are unable to commit to weekly rehearsals should not participate. Students with two unexcused absences may be asked to re-audition or withdraw from the group. If additional rehearsals or sectionals are needed, I will do my best to provide at least two weeks' notice.
CONFLICTS WITH OTHER SCHOOL SPORTS/CLUBS/ACTIVITIES
The best solution is communicating your needs.
CMS has robust after-school offerings, which is great, but can leave students torn between commitments. Philosophically, I believe that middle schoolers are at an age when they should be trying lots of activities; however, the reality is that it is very challenging to rehearse an advanced group (like Jazz Ensemble or Symphonic Band) when we have several members missing every week. Please consider the commitment level this ensemble requires before you sign up.
Because there are so many sports/clubs/activities, it is impossible to come up with a one-size-fits-all policy for students who wish to do two activities that meet at the same time. The most feasible solution is to share time. For example, students who do cross country typically come to jazz for the first hour of rehearsal, then go to cross country, and if there is a meet, they miss rehearsal that week. However, this situation gets more complicated if that same student decides to do a winter sport and a spring sport that have similar conflicts, because then they are missing over half the instruction for the year. This was just one example - other sports/clubs/activities have different demands. Therefore, the best solution is to communicate your needs with Mr. Halpainy and your coach or club teacher.
Private Lessons and Junior District Festival
Private lessons are strongly encouraged, but not mandatory to be a part of the CMS Symphonic Band or Jazz Ensemble. There are several options for private lessons in the area, including IMSCC, Concord Conservatory, among others. Students in 7th and 8th Grade are also encouraged to audition for the Junior District Festival.
The CMS Jazz Ensemble is a co-curricular group designed to challenge students involved in the CMS band program. In Jazz Ensemble, we play music of higher difficulty levels and different styles than that of regular band (jazz standards, swing, funk/rock, popular), and work on improvisation. We are modeled after a traditional big band configuration, which primarily includes Saxophones, Trombones, Trumpets, and a Rhythm Section (Drum set, Auxiliary Percussion, Guitar, Bass, and Piano), however, other instruments may be accepted if they are very interested and successfully audition. The Jazz Ensemble performs several times throughout the school year (see Calendar) at school concerts, and the MAJE Junior Jazz Festival. We have also traveled to Festival Disney (Orlando, Florida), New York City, and plan to travel again in the future.
Schedule and Attendance
CMS Jazz Ensemble meets on Thursdays after school in the CMS Band Room until 3:30pm (first late bus). Consistent attendance is essential to the ensemble's success, and students who are unable to commit to weekly rehearsals should not participate. Students with two unexcused absences may be asked to re-audition or withdraw from the group. If additional rehearsals or sectionals are needed, I will do my best to provide at least two weeks' notice.
CONFLICTS WITH OTHER SCHOOL SPORTS/CLUBS/ACTIVITIES
The best solution is communicating your needs.
CMS has robust after-school offerings, which is great, but can leave students torn between commitments. Philosophically, I believe that middle schoolers are at an age when they should be trying lots of activities; however, the reality is that it is very challenging to rehearse an advanced group (like Jazz Ensemble or Symphonic Band) when we have several members missing every week. Please consider the commitment level this ensemble requires before you sign up.
Because there are so many sports/clubs/activities, it is impossible to come up with a one-size-fits-all policy for students who wish to do two activities that meet at the same time. The most feasible solution is to share time. For example, students who do cross country typically come to jazz for the first hour of rehearsal, then go to cross country, and if there is a meet, they miss rehearsal that week. However, this situation gets more complicated if that same student decides to do a winter sport and a spring sport that have similar conflicts, because then they are missing over half the instruction for the year. This was just one example - other sports/clubs/activities have different demands. Therefore, the best solution is to communicate your needs with Mr. Halpainy and your coach or club teacher.
Private Lessons and Junior District Festival
Private lessons are strongly encouraged, but not mandatory to be a part of the CMS Symphonic Band or Jazz Ensemble. There are several options for private lessons in the area, including IMSCC, Concord Conservatory, among others. Students in 7th and 8th Grade are also encouraged to audition for the Junior District Festival.
Audition Information
Requirements
Auditions
Acceptance into the ensemble is not guaranteed. Jazz Ensemble is an advanced ensemble experience designed primarily for students in grades 7 and 8 who are ready for the musical and time commitments of the group. While we strive to make Jazz Ensemble an inclusive and enriching experience, depending on instrumentation needs and audition numbers, some students might not be accepted, and some sections may be capped to maintain balance within the ensemble. Placement decisions will be based on musical readiness, prior experience, and the overall needs of the group.
Results will be emailed to accepted students/parents, and the list of accepted students will be posted in the students’ Google Classroom. All decisions are final. I would be happy to provide students with areas for improvement, but I ask that you all please respect the process. Students who are not quite ready may be asked to re-audition mid-year.
Rehearsals for Jazz Ensemble begin on September 24th
Requirements
- Audition Piece, "Fresh Cut Fries" (attached here)
- Play the entire piece
- Select your part from the folder (such as Trumpet 2, Trombone 3, Alto 1, etc.)
- If you have cues (small notes in your music), you may choose to play them or not
- Repeat at measure 41. Play the backgrounds or (optionally) improvise a solo using concert F blues
- Please choose one of the following play-along options as you record. Note: You may record with or without headphones on. Please play with the tempo at full speed (i.e., don't slow it down):
- With this recording
- Using Make Music (Account required for use, and please search whether Fresh Cut Fries has been uploaded in their catalogue before purchasing an account)
- Play the entire piece
- Major Scale Sheet (attached here) - Any steady tempo is acceptable (slow is fine)
- Students must perform all the scales on the sheet (Concert F, Bb, Eb, Ab, and Chromatic). Breaking between scales is fine, but please do it all in one recording.
- Drum set players (Jazz Ensemble) do not need to play scales
Auditions
- Students should submit an audition video via email to [email protected]. In-person auditions are available upon request.
- Please submit one video for scales and one video for the audition piece, and label them clearly.
- Due Date(s)
- Videos are due by Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
- Acceptance will be posted on Friday, September 18
- Rehearsals begin on Thursday, September 24
Acceptance into the ensemble is not guaranteed. Jazz Ensemble is an advanced ensemble experience designed primarily for students in grades 7 and 8 who are ready for the musical and time commitments of the group. While we strive to make Jazz Ensemble an inclusive and enriching experience, depending on instrumentation needs and audition numbers, some students might not be accepted, and some sections may be capped to maintain balance within the ensemble. Placement decisions will be based on musical readiness, prior experience, and the overall needs of the group.
Results will be emailed to accepted students/parents, and the list of accepted students will be posted in the students’ Google Classroom. All decisions are final. I would be happy to provide students with areas for improvement, but I ask that you all please respect the process. Students who are not quite ready may be asked to re-audition mid-year.
Rehearsals for Jazz Ensemble begin on September 24th
