Hoffman Institute

Preparatory Classes ~ Instrumental Jazz
Clearwater Jazz Holiday
The Jazz Track includes participation in a musicianship/ improvisation class and group and combo performance. Students perform an eclectic mix of jazz repertoire from the works of Ellington to the present, with performance opportunities on the Ruth Eckerd Hall Main Stage, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday and Flavor of Jazz.
The Jazz Track is sponsored in part by the Clearwater Jazz Holiday.
Important Fall 2009/ Spring 2010 Preparatory Division Dates and Info
Fall Term:
Jazz Track: September 14–December 7
Fall Break: No classes November 22–28
Winter Recess: Institute closed December 20–January 3


Winter/Spring Term:

Jazz Track: January 11–April 19
Spring Break: No classes March 29–April 4
Attendance Policies
Students are expected to attend class each week. Fellow students’ development is affected when a classmate is absent because the majority of the work done in class is ensemble in nature. School conflicts for concerts, performances, etc. may be excused when advance written notice is given. Illness may be excused with advance notice by phone or email. In case of a family emergency, a call within 24 hours of the absence is requested. Should a student miss multiple classes for unacceptable reasons, the status of the student will change to class participation only and the student will not take part in the final performance or presentation.

WINTER/SPRING 2010 CLASSES
Classes begin January 11, 2010

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INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: JAZZ

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.

 
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The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute is funded in part by:

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