Welcome to the Jaguar Jazz Band

We meet on a weekly basis from August through early March. To qualify for membership, a JCMS student must be enrolled in a JCMS band, choir or orchestra class and be skilled on a musical instrument. No actual experience with jazz is necessary. In the Jazz Band, you will learn how to improvise solos and develop the ability to perform using several jazz styles.

Friday rehearsals take place in D104, the band room, and last from 3:00 PM until 4:00 PM. The week before a performance, extra rehearsals are scheduled to add the finishing touches to our music preparation. Joining the Jazz Band means giving the extra time needed in practice at home to prepare the music and attending all of our rehearsals and performances.

Jazz has its own "language", different from what you experience in your daily music class. Jazz traditions and styles have been handed down from generation to generation not through the notes on a page of music, but instead, by hearing experienced players perform and then practicing what was heard. As often as you can, listen to jazz recordings and attend jazz concerts (i.e. Monday nights at Indiana University Musical Arts Center). Doing so will add to your experience and help you grow into an outstanding jazz musician.