Rock Ensemble
Do you have the skills to rock on, but don’t have a place to do it, or enough people to form a band? Then Rock Ensemble is for you! The focus of the course is to replicate the performance of cover tunes from a broad range of influences that each of the musicians brings to the rehearsal. Original material from musicians in the class will also be rehearsed. Skills addressed will include reading, ear training, transcribing, and playing as an ensemble in time and proper balance. Students with no prior experience are required to take Class Guitar, Class Piano, Class Drumset, or private lessons in any of the above disciplines, including voice prior to registering for this course. Students with playing/singing experience are encouraged to audition and jump right in! Get rockin’ with Rock Ensemble!
Rock Ensemble Staff
Richard Cruz; Rock Ensemble Director
John Normandin; Associate Director, Curriculum Development
Symphonic Winds
Explore the genre of Wind Band literature with Symphonic Winds! Designed from a model of the classical orchestra, Symphonic Winds is a large-sized ensemble designed to challenge the experienced wind or percussion player with a multitude of music ranging from Classical transcriptions to Film & Movie music to inspiring 20th and 21st century works of art. Students will be engaged in music literacy while attending to matters of blend, balance, intonation and phrasing. Sightreading skills will be addressed and practiced on a regular basis. Beginning Band/Beginning Class Percussion is a pre- requisite for this ensemble for all inexperienced musicians. Come be a part of a great ensemble playing great music with Symphonic Winds!
Symphonic Winds Staff
John Normandin; Band Director, Curriculum Development
Michael D’Angelo; Associate Director of Percussion
Jazz Combo
Do you love playing jazz and improvising with other talented musicians? Then Jazz Combo is just right for you! Designed for advanced-level vocalists and instrumentalists of all types, the focus is on evaluating melodies and chords of jazz standards and creating improvised melodies over them with an emphasis on time, phrasing, and note choices. Instrumental students with no prior jazz experience are welcome through a minor audition. Students with no prior instrumental/vocal experience must be enrolled in Private Lessons or take the Beginning applicable course for your desired instrument as a pre-requisite to this course: Class Drumset, Class Piano, Class Guitar, Concert Choir, or Beginning Band. Come work on your improvisation with Jazz Combo!
Jazz Combo Staff
John Normandin; Director, Curriculum Development
Jazz Big Band
Do you love swinging in a jazz band playing the greats of Ellington, Basie, Goodman, and others? Then Jazz Big Band is for you! Designed for advanced-level instrumentalists and vocalists, the focus is on reading jazz music written for the Big Band ensemble consisting of up to 5 saxes, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, guitar, piano, bass, and drumset. Above listed instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome with a minor audition. Students with no prior instrumental/vocal experience must be enrolled in Private Lessons or take the Beginning applicable course for your desired instrument as a pre-requisite to
this course
Class Drumset, Class Piano, Class Guitar, Concert Choir, or Beginning Band. Come be a part of a toe-tapping, hard-swinging group with Jazz Big Band!
Jazz Big Band Staff
John Normandin; Director, Curriculum Development
Salsa Band
Are the rhythms of Salsa what gets your feet moving and your fingers inspired? Then Salsa Band is the group for you! Designed for advanced-level instrumentalists and vocalists, the focus is on reading and playing music written for the Salsa ensemble consisting of up to 2-3 vocalists, 2 saxes, 2-3 trombones, 2-3 trumpets, guitar, piano, bass, and a variety of latin percussion instruments, including bongo drums, conga drums,
timbales, and a variety of latin percussion accessories. Music of the greats will be played, including Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, Mark Anthony, and others. Above listed instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome with a minor audition. Students with no prior instrumental/vocal experience must be enrolled in Private Lessons or take the Beginning applicable course for your desired instrument as a pre-requisite to this course: Latin Percussion, Class Piano, Class Guitar, Concert Choir, or Beginning Band. Come fill the room with the energetic sounds of live latin music with Salsa Band!
Salsa Band Staff
John Normandin; Director, Curriculum Development
