Major Concepts/Content: The jazz ensemble course is designed to acquaint students with jazz music skills. The content includes, but is not limited to, the following concepts: interpretation and analyzation of musical scores; application of jazz musical nuances in playing from a musical part; improvisation; advance rhythm patterns; performance as a soloist and in small and large group ensembles; a variety of music repertoire such as style, periods, and forms; and sight-reading exercises. 

Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities will be Provided through the following processes: using daily sight-reading exercises during regular full-group rehearsals; practicing aural dictation and ear-training; improvising to a given chord progression; play-rig in tune; performing as a soloist and in small and large group ensembles; playing a wide variety of jazz and big-band repertoire; training in, and the development of, good practice habits; and training in the basics of jazz harmony. 

Major Evaluative Techniques: Students will be required to pass an examination on all major, minor, blues, and modal scales and to perform in group ensembles observing all critical markings of interpretation from the score 

Essential Objectives: Upon completion of the jazz ensemble course, students should be able to:

• Develop individual performance to a high level.
• Perform for the community in concerts.
• Demonstrate good practice habits.
• Display advanced development through solos or ensembles.
• Demonstrate independence in reading notation rhythmically and melodically.
• Understand "swing" style as well as traditional style.
• Begin using improvisation.
• Understand harmonic construction and use chord symbols.

Last Revised: July 19, 2005