PRMS Jazz Band
Welcome to the PRMS Jazz Band! All the information you need is contained in our PRMS Ensembles Welcome Letter (coming soon). Please read ALL the information carefully and return the required information and sign off sheet to myself or Mrs. Guerriero. The PRMS Jazz Band meets on Wednesdays in the PRHS band room as part of the concert band class. Students will need to walk themselves over to the high school on those days. Please EMAIL me if you have any questions.
Links and Resources
Junior District Info
MMEA Northeast Junior District Jazz Audition and Scale Requirements. This is essentially an "all-star" band comprised of the best students in the Northeast corner of Massachusetts. Acceptance is by audition only, and is open to all 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. I strongly encourage ALL interested students to participate. Please see me with questions and to get started. AUDITION MUSIC ARRIVES IN SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR. Follow these links to watch video footage of the event: REHEARSAL - CHORUS - CONCERT BAND - JAZZ BAND - ORCHESTRA
Logistics
ALL 7th and 8th grade concert band students will participate in jazz band as part of their class experience. There are a great many skills learned in jazz band that will help to build a strong, confident student musician beyond what concert band alone can offer. Bass students from orchestra are also strongly encouraged to participate.
REHEARSALS will be once a week during the 7th period ensembles block in the PRHS band room. On non-jazz band days, students will participate in concert band, orchestra, or chamber music.
8th grade students looking for greater challenge above and beyond the middle school ensemble will be encouraged to participate in the high school program. Placement within that program will be determined on an individual basis. Please let me know if you are interested.
Although the group is open to students on any instrument, sometimes we get too many rhythm section instruments (such as guitar, piano, bass, or drums) than is practical. In this event, I will hold AUDITIONS a few weeks prior to each of our concerts. Drummers are most susceptible as we can only have one drum set player performing at a time. Those drummers not selected to play drum set on a particular song will be assigned a bells part or an auxiliary percussion part. Everyone will get to perform with this strategy.
REHEARSALS will be once a week during the 7th period ensembles block in the PRHS band room. On non-jazz band days, students will participate in concert band, orchestra, or chamber music.
8th grade students looking for greater challenge above and beyond the middle school ensemble will be encouraged to participate in the high school program. Placement within that program will be determined on an individual basis. Please let me know if you are interested.
Although the group is open to students on any instrument, sometimes we get too many rhythm section instruments (such as guitar, piano, bass, or drums) than is practical. In this event, I will hold AUDITIONS a few weeks prior to each of our concerts. Drummers are most susceptible as we can only have one drum set player performing at a time. Those drummers not selected to play drum set on a particular song will be assigned a bells part or an auxiliary percussion part. Everyone will get to perform with this strategy.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are an essential part of your growth as a musician. The are a multitude of music studio options in the area, each with particular strengths. Please allow us to offer recommendations and guide you through the process to be sure you maximize your investment.
Jazz Opportunities
GO HEAR SOME JAZZ!
Regatta Bar Jazz Club schedule of events
Scullers Jazz Club schedule of events
All About Jazz master calendar
Andiamo Restaurant in Newburyport - Wednesday night jazz
The Pressroom in Portsmouth, NH - frequent jazz
Regatta Bar Jazz Club schedule of events
Scullers Jazz Club schedule of events
All About Jazz master calendar
Andiamo Restaurant in Newburyport - Wednesday night jazz
The Pressroom in Portsmouth, NH - frequent jazz
Reference Recordings
Below are .mp3 files of the music we are currently, or will be working on this year. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the songs and feel free to practice along with the recordings. Whenever possible I have posted recordings that match your music exactly, but know that sometimes they will not.
Blue Pepper - Duke Ellington
Blues Machine - Arr. Sweeney
Chameleon - Arr. Sweeney
Milestones - Arr. Murtha
Moanin' - Arr. Sweeney
Moanin' - Bobby Timmons
So What - Arr. Sweeney
So What - Miles Davis
St. Thomas - Arr. Sweeney
St. Thomas - Sonny Rollins
Sweet Georgia Brown - Arr. Mike Lewis
Watermelon Man - Arr. Mike Kamuf
Watermelon Man - Herbie Hancock
Work Song - Arr. Peter Blair