HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

ENRICHMENT COURSE DESCRIPTION

Jazz Ensemble
High School

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

ENRICHMENT COURSE DESCRIPTION

Course Name:
Grade Level:
Course Length:

Jazz Band
9,10, 11,12
1 semester

Course Description: Jazz Band is open to all qualified saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, keyboard,
bass and percussion players. This course provides opportunities for the performance of outstanding jazz
literature and the study of jazz styles, history, and improvisation. This band performs in numerous concerts
throughout the year. After school rehearsals and performances are required. This course meets the State of
Michigan Fine Arts graduation requirement. This class meets daily and may be repeated for credit.
Curricular Impact: Music, Social Science, Humanities, Multi-Cultural
Objectives:
Knowledge objectives:
MUSIC
The student will:
1. Explore and develop jazz notation and reading
2.

Understand and develop jazz terms and symbol reading

3.

Understand, develop, and perform the difference between traditional and jazz articulation

INTERPRETATION
The student will:
1. Explore and develop jazz notation
2. Understand and develop jazz rhythm feeling and interpretation
3. Develop and understand standard jazz performance skills and interpretation

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

ENRICHMENT COURSE DESCRIPTION

STYLES
The student will:
1. Explore Swing music styles
2. Explore Latin music styles
3. Explore Rock music styles
4. Explore Ballad music styles
5. Explore Pop music styles
6. Explore Blues music styles

IMPROVISATION
The student will:
1.Explore, basic jazz chord patterns:
a. the 12-bar blues
b. the II, V7, I changes
c. the two chord progressions
d. the Ive Got Rhythm changes
2. Explore, develop and gain confidence in their solo compositional skills
4. Explore, develop, and gain confidence in jazz performance techniques needed to project
improvisational styles

PERSONAL VALUE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

The students will:
1.

Demonstrate proper protocol as a performer and audience participant

2.

Develop a personal value system by working to achieve the highest level of their potential

3.

Develop leadership skills for group interaction

4.

Develop the attitudes of team spirit and being part of something larger than oneself

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

ENRICHMENT COURSE DESCRIPTION
STUDENT ACTIVITIES:
1.

Students may need to attend clinics.

2.

When developmentally appropriate, students may perform at high school basketball games, school
activities, and concerts

3.

When developmentally appropriate, students may perform at civic functions

4.

When developmentally appropriate, students may perform at festivals and contests

EVALUATION:
1.

Students will be able to correctly interpret jazz swing music

2.

Students will be able to correctly interpret jazz swing rhythmic patterns

3.

Students will listen, from a aped performance, to their own improvisational solos, backgrounds, and
ensemble playing, and evaluate their own success in jazz performance

RESOURSES TEACHER AIDS:

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Aebersold, Jamey. A new Approach to Jazz Improvisation. 5 volumes.
New Albany: J.A. Publications
Scales for Jazz Improvisation. New Alboany: J.A. Publications.
Baker, David. Advanced Improvisation. Chicago: Music Workshop Publ.
Techniques of Improvisation Series. 4 volumes. Chicago: Music
Workshop Publ.
Jazz Improvisation. Chicago: Music Workshop Publ.
Coker, Jerry, et. Al. Improvising Jazz. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, Inc.
The Jazz Idiom. Englewood: Prentice Hall, Inc.
Coker, Jerry, et. Al Patterns for Jazz. Lebanon: Studio P/R, Inc.
Downbeat magazine. Published bimonthly. Chicago.
Feldstein, Sandy & Strommen, Carl. The Sound of Jazz. A Band Mehtod for Jazz and Concert Bands.
Port Washington: Alfred Publishing Co.., Inc.
Feldstein, Sandy & Scianni, Hoe. The Sound of Rock. A Band Method designed to teach Tock Music to
the Stage and Concert Band. Port Washington: Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.
Grove, Dick. Theory of Improvisation. 3 volumes. Studio City: First Place Music.
Kynaston, Trent P. & Ricci, Robert. Jazz Improvisation. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

ENRICHMENT COURSE DESCRIPTION
Laporta, John. Developing the Stage Band. Boston: Berlee Press.
Guide to Improvisation. Boston: Berklee Press
Ear Training Phase I. Boston: Berklee
Lawn, Richard. The Jazz Ensemble Directors Manual. Oskaloosa, Iowa:
C.L. Barnhouse Company.
Basic Music List. Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Ann Arbor.
N.A.J.E. Educator. Magazine of the national Association of Jazz Educators. Manhattan.
Reid, Rufus. The Evolving Bassist. New York: Myriad Ltd.
Russell, George. Lydian Chormatic Concept. New York: Concept Publ Co.
Spera, Dom. Learning Unlimited Jazz Improvisation Series. Milwaukee:
Hal Leonard Publishing Corp.
MAJOR PUBLISHERS OF JAZZ BAND CHARTS
Jamey Aebersold, 1211 Aebersold Drive, New Albany, Indiana 47150
Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., 75 Channel Drive, Port Washington, N.Y. 11050
C.L. Barnhouse Co., Oskaloosa, Iosa 52577
Berklee Press Publications, 1140 Boylston Street, Boston, Mass. 02215
Cimino Publications, Inc., 1646 New Highway, Farmingdale, N.Y. 11735
Creative World Music, Inc., Box 35216, Los Angeles, Ca. 90035
H.S.{. Music, Inc., c/o Belwin Mills, Deshon Drive, Melville, N.Y. 11746
Kendor Music, Inc., Delevan, N.Y. 14042
Life Line Music Press, box 338, Agoura, Ca. 91301
Studio P/R, Inc. 224 S. Lebanon Street, Lebanon, Indiana 46052
Chart Sources, a complete listing of jazz publishers, is available form Studio 4 Productions, Box 266,
Northridge, Ca. 91324.