JHS Jazz

   The most unique of our after school classes, our jazz students sign up for the class and receive school credit while meeting out of the school day. This is done with a rehearsal calendar that includes a large jazz ensemble, a small performance ensemble, several combos and an improvisation curriculum. The groups are taught in a team teaching concept using our entire music faculty, spotlighting the strengths of our staff. Students have several performance opportunities, which include concerts, community events, local promotional events, jazz festivals and performance at our school events.

   Improvisation remains the primary focus of our jazz curriculum, where individual talents and strengths are developed. Students learn to improvise in a safe environment, a lab setting where everyone is participating. While we traditionally use the “jazz” instruments there have been occasions where non-traditional instruments are used for improvisation lessons.