Jazz

The warm-up is often regarded as a critical part of the concert band rehearsal. It is a time for students to focus on the basics of breathing, sound production, intonation, and instrumental technique. If individual students have good control over these elements, the large ensemble will of course have more success. Warming up in the jazz ensemble, however, is not regarded quite as reverently in spite of the obvious benefits. This column will offer some suggestions for making this part of the jazz ensemble rehearsal efficient and productive.

When selecting repertoire, the best results will usually occur when a methodical approach is taken. One such method is to consider each piece of music by three distinct measures: 1) Technical 2) Aesthetic 3) Curricular. Applying these criteria can be a balancing act but will more often than not result in the selection of materials that motivate and inspire students while developing their performance skills, and overall musical understanding and appreciation