Students are placed in our multi-level Jazz Track based on their knowledge of music theory, instrument proficiency, and jazz improvisation skills. The Jazz Track includes participation in a musicianship/improvisation class and group and combo performance. Performance opportunities include the Ruth Eckerd Hall Main Stage, the and the Lakeside Jazz Festival.* The Jazz Track is sponsored in part by the Clearwater Jazz Holiday.
* Participation fees for the Festival are not included in tuition.
Jazz: Level I
Ages: 12–19, Mondays, 5:30–6:30 pm theory and improvisation
6:30–8:00 pm ensemble
Tuition: $242.50, includes jazz class, performance group and combo
Text fee: $13.92, including tax
Lead Instructor: Frank Williams; Associate Instructor: Bob Barfield
The Ruth Eckerd Hall Lab Band
The Lab Band is designed to give the traditional band student an opportunity to learn jazz style. Rehearsing and performing big band charts of moderate difficulty, the Lab Band offers students an opportunity to apply the concepts from jazz musicianship classes to the performance of various forms of jazz including the blues, etc. Theory classes provide students with the foundations of music, including reading, writing and listening activities as well as mastery of elements essential for improvisation. Students in this group may audition for placement in the higher-level Ruth Eckerd Hall/Clearwater Jazz Holiday Youth Big Band when positions become available.
Basic Improvisation
Building on the fundamentals of jazz literacy in which the student has demonstrated proficiency, he/she will add the elements of minor scales and arpeggios, major, minor and modal scales and arpeggios, basic chord construction including major, minor, diminished and augmented, and symbols and vocabulary specific to jazz music. In addition, participants continue development of aural skills in recognizing melodic and harmonic intervals. Students begin applying this knowledge to their instruments.
Jazz: Level II
Ages: 14–19, Mondays, 6:30–8:00 pm ensemble
8:00–9:00 pm improvisation and combo
Tuition: $262.50, includes jazz class, performance group and combo
Lead Instructor: Frank Williams; Associate Instructor: Bob Barfield
Ruth Eckerd Hall/Clearwater Jazz Holiday Youth Big Band
This ensemble is comprised of the most accomplished and talented students in the Jazz Track. Participants are challenged and rewarded by studying and performing literature of the highest quality. The history and development of jazz music is explored. Performances are on the Ruth Eckerd Hall Main Stage and at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday in Coachman Park.
Advanced Improvisation
Advanced Improvisation is a hands-on theory experience which provides students an opportunity to use the theoretical knowledge they have mastered and apply it to their instruments. Building on the concepts previously studied (described above), participants add collegiate-level material including modal scales, chord extensions and alterations. Students learn to transcribe and play a solo performed by a jazz recording artist. |
