We will be holding auditions for the 2024-25 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 NYC and plan to travel again in the future.
Schedule and Attendance
CMS Jazz Ensemble meets Thursdays after school in the Sanborn Band Room until 3:40pm (first late bus). Attendance is vital to the group’s success. Students who cannot commit to weekly rehearsals should not participate this year. Students who have two unexcused absences may be asked to re-audition for the group or to withdraw.
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 where they should be trying lots of activities, however, the reality is that it is very challenging to rehearse an advanced group (like Jazz or Wind Ensemble) if we have several missing members 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 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 communicating your needs with Mr. Halpainy and your coach or club teacher.
Private Lessons and Junior District Festival
Private lessons are 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 NYC and plan to travel again in the future.
Schedule and Attendance
CMS Jazz Ensemble meets Thursdays after school in the Sanborn Band Room until 3:40pm (first late bus). Attendance is vital to the group’s success. Students who cannot commit to weekly rehearsals should not participate this year. Students who have two unexcused absences may be asked to re-audition for the group or to withdraw.
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 where they should be trying lots of activities, however, the reality is that it is very challenging to rehearse an advanced group (like Jazz or Wind Ensemble) if we have several missing members 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 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 communicating your needs with Mr. Halpainy and your coach or club teacher.
Private Lessons and Junior District Festival
Private lessons are 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
Acceptance into the ensemble is not guaranteed. Additionally, we will accept a limited number of rhythm section players (drum set, auxiliary percussion, bass, guitar, and piano) due to equipment and repertoire limitations. Prior experience in the group will be taken into consideration.
The final list will be posted in the students’ Google Classroom, outside the Sanborn Band room, and in the Peabody forum by Friday, September 20. All decisions are final. I would be happy to provide students on 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 26th
Requirements
- Grease (attached here)
- Perform Choruses 1 and 2
- Please play along with this recording (with or without headphones on)
- Piano and Guitar players will be asked to play the melody and to comp a simple rhythm using the written chords. This video is helpful for learning some simple comping rhythms.
- Drum set does not need to prepare this piece - see below
- 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.
- Drum set players (Jazz Ensemble) and snare drum auditions (Symphonic Band) do not need to play scales
- Drum set requirements:
- Perform short written rhythm (attached here)
- Swing groove (moderate tempo)
- Rock groove (moderate tempo)
- Demonstrate a drum fill mid-groove
Auditions
- This year, 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)
- Round 1: Students may opt to submit for early acceptance into next year's group. Early acceptance videos are due by Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Students may resubmit in Round 2 if they are not accepted in Round 1 auditions.
- Round 2: Friday, September 13, 2024 is the deadline for video submissions.
Acceptance
Acceptance into the ensemble is not guaranteed. Additionally, we will accept a limited number of rhythm section players (drum set, auxiliary percussion, bass, guitar, and piano) due to equipment and repertoire limitations. Prior experience in the group will be taken into consideration.
The final list will be posted in the students’ Google Classroom, outside the Sanborn Band room, and in the Peabody forum by Friday, September 20. All decisions are final. I would be happy to provide students on 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 26th
