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Jazz Ensembles
Jazz Ensembles are offered in conjunction with students who currently perform in a concert ensemble. The primary educational goal of
the Jazz Ensemble class is to develop and nurture an understanding of Jazz music history, playing styles, harmony/music theory, and improvisation.
The ensembles perform frequently in the Fall and throughout the Spring at a variety of venues in and outside of our local community. These events include performances at Pensacola Jazz Fest, Best of the West Jazz Competition, Playground Music's Jazz in the Park, Azalea Garden Club's Elegant Spring Tea, Gulf Coast Arts Festival, Sonny's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, area Elementary & Middle schools, as well as District and State Jazz MPA. In addition, our top Jazz Ensemble also participates in the national Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition & Swing Central Jazz Competition.
Instrumentation of the ensembles are limited, and typically consists of Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Guitar, Drumset, Vibes, and Electric / Upright Bass.
Depending on interest level and scheduling abilities, there are either one or two Jazz Ensembles at Pace High School each year. In years where there are multiple Jazz ensembles, both ensembles will meet during the school day and will be divided into a beginning level Jazz Ensemble (Jazz Ensemble II), and a more advanced Jazz Ensemble (Jazz Ensemble I). In years where there is only one Jazz ensemble, membership will be restricted as it will be treated as an advanced, top-level ensemble.
Please note: Members of Jazz Ensemble I will also be required to attend additional before or after school rehearsals, events, performances, and recording sessions, as needed, as a part of their class requirements.
Membership into the Jazz Ensembles are determined through an audition consisting of scales, prepared pieces, sight reading and/or Jazz improvisation. These auditions typically take place at the end of the previous school year and/or over the summer break. Students should understand that year long practice is necessary, and that prior membership in either ensemble does NOT guarantee automatic membership the following year.
Please see our "Jazz Ensemble News" page for monthly updates with the Jazz program!
Jazz Ensemble I Additional Information
Saxophone players are typically asked to "double" on additional woodwind instruments, including Flute, Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, and/or Soprano Saxophone, as necessary for the musical selections. Bass players are typically asked to learn the Upright Bass, in addition to the Electric Bass. These skills are acquired throughout the school year.
Brass players are typically asked to acquire various mutes, as necessary for the musical selections. These may include: straight mute, cup mute, harmon mute, bucket mute, pixie mute, and/or plunger mute (Trumpets - sink plunger, Trombones - standard plunger).
Percussionists are expected to acquire their own pairs of metal drumset brushes and Jazz drumset sticks.
Please scroll down to view our Jazz Calendar of our upcoming Performances & Events!!!
the Jazz Ensemble class is to develop and nurture an understanding of Jazz music history, playing styles, harmony/music theory, and improvisation.
The ensembles perform frequently in the Fall and throughout the Spring at a variety of venues in and outside of our local community. These events include performances at Pensacola Jazz Fest, Best of the West Jazz Competition, Playground Music's Jazz in the Park, Azalea Garden Club's Elegant Spring Tea, Gulf Coast Arts Festival, Sonny's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, area Elementary & Middle schools, as well as District and State Jazz MPA. In addition, our top Jazz Ensemble also participates in the national Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition & Swing Central Jazz Competition.
Instrumentation of the ensembles are limited, and typically consists of Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Guitar, Drumset, Vibes, and Electric / Upright Bass.
Depending on interest level and scheduling abilities, there are either one or two Jazz Ensembles at Pace High School each year. In years where there are multiple Jazz ensembles, both ensembles will meet during the school day and will be divided into a beginning level Jazz Ensemble (Jazz Ensemble II), and a more advanced Jazz Ensemble (Jazz Ensemble I). In years where there is only one Jazz ensemble, membership will be restricted as it will be treated as an advanced, top-level ensemble.
Please note: Members of Jazz Ensemble I will also be required to attend additional before or after school rehearsals, events, performances, and recording sessions, as needed, as a part of their class requirements.
Membership into the Jazz Ensembles are determined through an audition consisting of scales, prepared pieces, sight reading and/or Jazz improvisation. These auditions typically take place at the end of the previous school year and/or over the summer break. Students should understand that year long practice is necessary, and that prior membership in either ensemble does NOT guarantee automatic membership the following year.
Please see our "Jazz Ensemble News" page for monthly updates with the Jazz program!
Jazz Ensemble I Additional Information
Saxophone players are typically asked to "double" on additional woodwind instruments, including Flute, Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, and/or Soprano Saxophone, as necessary for the musical selections. Bass players are typically asked to learn the Upright Bass, in addition to the Electric Bass. These skills are acquired throughout the school year.
Brass players are typically asked to acquire various mutes, as necessary for the musical selections. These may include: straight mute, cup mute, harmon mute, bucket mute, pixie mute, and/or plunger mute (Trumpets - sink plunger, Trombones - standard plunger).
Percussionists are expected to acquire their own pairs of metal drumset brushes and Jazz drumset sticks.
Please scroll down to view our Jazz Calendar of our upcoming Performances & Events!!!
Jazz Combo
The primary educational goal of the Pace Jazz Combo is to develop a deeper understanding of jazz improvisation, jazz harmony, and melodic interpretation. Instrumentation of this ensemble is typical of many small jazz combo ensembles, particularly ones of the 50s and 60s on the Blue Note Jazz recording label. Membership into this ensemble is strictly by audition and interest only, however students do not need to be a member of the Jazz ensemble class in order to be in the Jazz Combo.
The Jazz Combo performs regularly at a wide variety of venues in the surrounding community. Past performances have included Pace High School, University of West Florida, Pace Santino's, Pensacola Bonehead's, Pace South Market, Pensacola Barnes and Noble, Gulf Breeze Zoo, Pace Regions Bank, and the Dragonfly Art Gallery in Milton.
The Jazz Combo typically rehearses after school, once a week starting in the spring.
The Jazz Combo performs regularly at a wide variety of venues in the surrounding community. Past performances have included Pace High School, University of West Florida, Pace Santino's, Pensacola Bonehead's, Pace South Market, Pensacola Barnes and Noble, Gulf Breeze Zoo, Pace Regions Bank, and the Dragonfly Art Gallery in Milton.
The Jazz Combo typically rehearses after school, once a week starting in the spring.
Jazz Ensemble 2020-21 Events & Performances
Jazz Ensemble Rehearsals & Sectionals can be found on the CHARMS calendar
Note: All Performances, venues & times are subject to change, with more to be added throughout the school year!
Jazz Camp - July 27-31 - Pace High School, Pace, FL
*Swing Central Jazz Competition Recording Sessions - POSTPONED Due to COVID-19
*Pensacola Jazz Fest - November 14-15, 2020 - Seville Square, Pensacola, FL (tentative rescheduled dates)
*Holiday Jazz Album Recording Sessions - November 9, 10 & 16, 2020 - TBD
*Jazz Ensemble 1 Performance - November 17, 2020 - TBD (tentative)
Winter Concert - December 2020 - TBD
*Essentially Ellington Competition Recording Sessions - December 2020 & January 2021 - TBD
*Best of The West Jazz Competition - January 23rd, 2021 - Harborwalk Village, Destin FL (tentative)
Jazz Concert - January 2021 - TBD
District Jazz MPA - February 19th, 2021 - Pensacola State College, Pensacola, FL
*State Jazz MPA - March/April 2021 - TBD (tentative)
2nd Annual Jazz Hang - April 2021 - Gulf Breeze High School, Gulf Breeze, FL (tentative)
International Jazz Day - April 30, 2021
Santa Rosa County Jazz Extravaganza - May 2021 - TBD (tentative)
Spring Concert - May 2021 - TBD
* = Jazz Ensemble I only
Note: All Performances, venues & times are subject to change, with more to be added throughout the school year!
Jazz Camp - July 27-31 - Pace High School, Pace, FL
*Swing Central Jazz Competition Recording Sessions - POSTPONED Due to COVID-19
*Pensacola Jazz Fest - November 14-15, 2020 - Seville Square, Pensacola, FL (tentative rescheduled dates)
*Holiday Jazz Album Recording Sessions - November 9, 10 & 16, 2020 - TBD
*Jazz Ensemble 1 Performance - November 17, 2020 - TBD (tentative)
Winter Concert - December 2020 - TBD
*Essentially Ellington Competition Recording Sessions - December 2020 & January 2021 - TBD
*Best of The West Jazz Competition - January 23rd, 2021 - Harborwalk Village, Destin FL (tentative)
Jazz Concert - January 2021 - TBD
District Jazz MPA - February 19th, 2021 - Pensacola State College, Pensacola, FL
*State Jazz MPA - March/April 2021 - TBD (tentative)
2nd Annual Jazz Hang - April 2021 - Gulf Breeze High School, Gulf Breeze, FL (tentative)
International Jazz Day - April 30, 2021
Santa Rosa County Jazz Extravaganza - May 2021 - TBD (tentative)
Spring Concert - May 2021 - TBD
* = Jazz Ensemble I only
Resources/Exercises
Jazz Academy & Essentially Ellington Information - academy.jazz.org/
Jazz at Lincoln Center Website & Schedule to FREE Live Master Classes & Concerts - jazzatlincolncenter.squarespace.com/
Archive of Jazz Academy and JLCO Master Classes & Concerts (updated frequently) - www.youtube.com/c/JazzAcademy/featured
Swing Central Jazz - https://www.savannahmusicfestival.org/education-programs/swingcentraljazz/
Jazz Pensacola - https://jazzpensacola.com/
Jazz Education Network (JEN) - http://jazzednet.org/about
Major Arpeggio Study - Treble Clef
Major Arpeggio Study - Bass Clef
Minor Arpeggio Study - Treble Clef
Minor Arpeggio Study - Bass Clef
Bb Blues Progression Chords - C Treble
Bb Blues Progression Chords - C Bass
Bb Blues Progression Chords - Eb
Bb Blues Progression Chords - Bb
