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PERFORMANCE INFORMATION Fall Musicale #1, Monday, January 7, 2013, 6pm, Concert Hall (TUXEDO)

Evening concert attire: Tuxedo for men, formal black for ladies

Daytime concert attire: All Black for everyone

ENTRANCE BY AUDITION ONLY

Auditions for Fall 2013 Junior Jazz Band will take place April, 9 & 10, 2013.

CLASS CURRICULUM Study, rehearsal, and performance of big band repertoire from the 1930s to the present.  

Emphasis on developing improvisational skills within the band and combos

Tune learning: study of form through memorization of root movement, chord qualities, and melody

Transposition of repertoire learned

JUNIOR JAZZ AUDITION REQUIREMENTS for all instruments

All candidates are required to:

1. Perform TWO contrasting jazz tunes from memory with a play-along CD or iRealBook. This includes melody and improvisation.  DOWNLOAD THE 100 MUST KNOW JAZZ TUNE LIST BELOW for some choices, however, you can also choose appropriate tunes not on this list. 

2. Play selected Major & Minor scales and arpeggios

3. Sightread big band parts

RHYTHM SECTION must ALSO prepare the following: 

PIANISTS & GUITARISTS are required to comp chord progressions on your selected tunes, and comp while sight reading changes

BASSISTS are required to walk lines on the your two selections and walk lines while sight reading chord changes -

DRUMMERS are required to display the following grooves: swing, ballad, funk/rock, latin, bossa nova, samba, & odd meter.  Be prepared to trade 4s with yourself on a rhythm changes and/or a 12 bar blues and keep the form.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Evening concert attire: Tuxedo for men, formal black for ladies

Daytime concert attire: All Black

Pre-requisite: Junior Jazz Band (see Junior Jazz description)

CLASS CURRICULUM Further study of big band compositions and arrangements at the highest possible level through performance, competition, and recordings. Emphasis on tight section work & advanced improvisational skills. Repertoire consists of professional arrangements and compositions by jazz masters worldwide. Development of sight reading skills is also emphasized. Numerous performance opportunities in the New York area and beyond throughout the school year Guest artists for workshops, clinics, and performances have included: Benny Golson, Billy Taylor, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Lee Konitz, Stefon Harris, Wynton Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, Scott Robinson, Andy Bey, Bobby Watson, John Riley & The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

PERFORMANCE/COMPETITION/REHEARSAL/RECORDING DATES The dates below represent significant Senior Jazz events during the 2012-2013 school year. I have included them now to help avoid any student scheduling conflicts that may arise so please mark your calendars accordingly. Your cooperation is appreciated and I will email details for certain events as we get closer. Please note that other performing opportunities are likely to be added. Thanks. Evening performances during the school year will require tuxedo. Please have a tuxedo available for your child by Monday, October 29, 2012. Thanks.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2012-2013

Blackout: Thursday, November 1st, periods 1-5, Little Flower Theater (ALL-BLACK)

Performance: Friday, November 2nd, 7:30pm, Fall Concert, Little Flower Theater (TUXEDO)

Performance: Monday, January 28, TBA

Performance: Friday, March 1st, 7:30pm, Spring Concert, Little Flower Theater (TUXEDO)

Competition: Saturday, March 23rd, Essentially Ellington Regional, Greenwich, CT (ALL-BLACK)

Performance: Friday, April 5th, 7:30pm, Concert Hall, (TUXEDO) Program TBA

FALL 2012 MONK COMBOS: 

The first two sessions will be Monday & Tuesday, September 24th & 25th with Dr. J.B. Dyas, V.P. of the Monk Institute's Educational Programs. Dr. Dyas will also be available both days for private piano, guitar, and bass lessons and combo coaching.  

The program is open to current 10th-12th grade LaGuardia music students: Instrumental and Vocal

Runs the full school year September - June

Two Small combos with weekly rehearsals on Mondays & Tuesdays after school, 4:30-6:30pm.  3:30-5pm on conference Mondays.

Previous Guest Artists: Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Bob Dorough, Roy Nathanson, Peter Bernstein, Dave Stryker, Ralph LaLama, Steve Turre, Bobby Watson, Helen Sung, Bob Stewart, Ben Riley, Don Braden, Todd Williams, Chris Byars, Steve Davis, Todd Coolman, and many more.

Previous Performances: White House with Michelle Obama; Jazz At Lincoln Center; WBGO FM 88.3; Monk Institute Jazz Informance Tour; ABC TV Studio; National Arts Club.

FALL SEMESTER COMBO REHEARSALS ROOM A29 Rehearsals are every Monday & Tuesday after school unless otherwise noted. 

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS for all instruments All candidates are required to:

1. Perform two contrasting tunes with the play-along CD recording or iRealbook. Each tune should contain an improvised solo. Students must choose the two selections in advance and bring the respective play-along CD(s) or a device with iRealbook to the audition. If you have no access to Aebersold play-alongs or iRealbook, see Mr. Blancq by Wednesday, Sept. 12th.

2. Play selected Major & Minor scales and arpeggios

RHYTHM SECTION instruments must also prepare the following: 

PIANISTS & GUITARISTS are required to comp chord progressions on your selected tunes, and comp while sight reading changes.

BASSISTS are required to walk lines on your two selections and walk lines while sight reading chord changes.

DRUMMERS are required to display the following grooves: swing, ballad, rock/funk, and Latin (e.g., bossa, samba)

VOCALIST prepare the following: Sing two compositions of contrasting styles with the play-along CD or iRealbook. Vocal improvisation and/or "scat singing" in your performance is preferable but not required. Students must choose the two selections in advance and bring the respective play-along CD(s) or a device with iRealbook to the audition. If you have no access to Aebersold play-alongs or iRealbook, see Mr. Blancq by Wednesday, Sept. 12th.

 

 

 

 

Theory 3I for instrumental majors COURSE DESCRIPTION  Theory 3I focuses on the tools, concepts, and skills necessary to read, write, and perform music.  TOPICS COVERED Minor Scales, Modes, Intervals, Melodic, Rhythmic, & Harmonic Dictation, 7th chords, Inversions, 4 part harmonization, Harmonic analysis, Score reading & analysis. GRADING Quizzes: every two weeks on material covered Exams: Mid-Term & Final count twice towards your final grade  TUTORING - room A29 Mr. Blancq is available by appointment You can also get help at: http://www.teoria.com/ SPRING 2011 MID-TERM EXAM - TBA CLASS PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE - TBA

Sight-Singing for vocal majors

COURSE OBJECTIVE: students develop and refine their ability to sing melodies at sight with accurate pitch and rhythm
Topics covered: musical notation, key signatures, syncopation, melodic composition

GRADING
Quizzes: students perform rhythmic & melodic exercises every Thursday for the entire class
Exams: melodies & rhythms are sung at sight for the entire class

TUTORING - room A29
Mr. Blancq is available 4th period everyday and 6th period by appointment only

MID-TERM EXAM SCHEDULE - TBA

CLASS PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE - Fridays

Fiorello H. LaGuardia HS of Music & Art and Performing Arts
Kevin Blancq