Jazz Big Band Week
An advanced music course for 16-18 year olds, grades 6-8
Dates: 26-30 July, 2010
Residential or Day Course Options
(Residential students arrive on Sunday 25 July)
Cost: Residential students £496
Day Students £325
This advanced music course gives older/more advanced students the chance to experience playing in a 20-piece jazz Big Band.
Led by Course Director Alex Tester, supported by jazz professionals, soloists and music educationalists, the emphasis is on challenging young musicians to think creatively, improvising and working with like-minded youngsters to produce the tight ensemble required within Big Band jazz. Students do not need previous jazz experience, but should be grade 6 standard or above to get the most out of the course. In work such as improvisation and jazz combos, each individual musician will be assessed and placed in appropriate groups depending on experience, and even tentative improvisers will find confidence in the work undertaken. The ensemble work is based upon building a repertoire for performance, understanding jazz style, extending sight-reading skills and understanding jazz charts and chord books.
The Big Band will perform in front of an audience at a series of lunchtime concerts and evening gigs. The course runs parallel to Young Musicians’ Week, with students also performing in the final end of course concert and Hog Roast reception on Friday evening.
It is a demanding but exciting programme – but there is time to relax as well. Our experienced pastoral team will offer activities that will enable students to mix with friends on Young Musicians Week, but will also tailor a social programme specific to older students – click here for more details.
The band
Students playing the following instruments are eligible for the Big Band course:
Trumpets, Trombones, Alto Saxes, Tenor Saxes, Baritone Sax, Piano, Double Bass or Bass Guitar, Drums, Guitar