Upper School Instrumental Music

This is an advanced class for string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players with their own instruments (exceptions are granted for cello, bass, low brass, and percussion). The repertoire is drawn from a wide range of styles and periods, and original (i.e., nonsimplified) editions are used. Symphony students perform in three concerts during the school year. A few after-school rehearsals are added the week before concerts. Because of ensemble balance requirements, students who audition for Symphony must be prepared to honor the commitment that participation in this program entails.

This is a skill building and performance-based course for string players with at least one year of instrumental training. Students have the opportunity to perform alongside upper school symphony players in a minimum of two concerts per year. The class focuses on advancing string technique through vibrato, shifting, tone production, intonation, sight-reading skills, and more. Students receive individualized coaching, develop as ensemble players, and study music theory and history as they relate to the repertoire. Typically, there is one required after-school dress rehearsal before each performance.

As the most-advanced orchestra on the upper school campus, this course is for highly trained string, woodwind, brass, and piano musicians. Students rehearse and perform challenging music representing various styles and periods. They deepen their experience with advanced chamber orchestra repertoire. Auditions for this limited-enrollment ensemble are in the spring. Students perform in three concerts, participate in nationally recognized competitions and festivals, and travel on national or international tours. Extra rehearsals outside the classroom, while minimal, are required.

This course is for experienced-to-advanced players. Each spring, students may audition for this class—a band molded from a traditional big-band set-up (five trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, piano, bass, drums, and guitar). Students who feel qualified on nontraditional instruments (e.g., strings, mallets, Latin percussion, etc.) may also audition for placement consideration. The course of study for the ensemble includes advanced high school and college repertoire, student-written pieces, and commissions from professional jazz writers. In-depth areas of jazz and “commercial music” performance skills (tone quality, intonation, sectional balance, improvisational techniques, and style) are the major focus of the coursework. The class studies big-band charts and classic recordings representing various historical periods and styles of jazz. Additional after-school rehearsals may be scheduled for concerts, recording sessions, and extra performances. The Harvard-Westlake Jazz Explorers, the school’s top jazz combo, is selected from members of the Jazz Band. Additional small combos may be formed at the instructor’s discretion.

Designed for the intermediate-to-advanced jazz player, this is a performance-oriented class for brass, woodwind, keyboard, and rhythm-section players who desire an intensive experience studying jazz music. Students who wish to eventually place into Jazz Band should audition for this course. Classwork focuses upon performance skills, ensemble techniques, reading, improvisation, and specific jazz techniques and styles. The materials are chosen from standard big-band arrangements and combo charts. The class provides a unique opportunity for individuals to develop their overall playing skills while working in alternating settings of a twenty-two piece jazz band and jazz combos. Advanced members of this class may audition for the smaller combos that rehearse during class time. Selection for placement in these smaller groups can be competitive. Studio Jazz Band and its small combos perform in several concerts during the school year. Additional after-school rehearsals are scheduled before concerts and as needed.

Designed for the less-experienced jazz player, this is a performance-oriented class for brass, woodwind, keyboard, and rhythm-section players who have had at least two years of instrumental training. Students who wish to eventually place into Studio Jazz Band or Jazz Band should audition for this course. Classwork focuses on performance skills, ensemble techniques, reading, improvisation, and specific jazz techniques and styles. The materials are chosen from standard jazz repertoire and classic jazz combo arrangements. The class provides an opportunity for students to develop their overall playing skills while working in a smaller jazz band. Jazz Ensemble performs in several concerts during the school year, and additional after-school rehearsals are scheduled as needed.

This course is for students who play rhythm-section instruments (piano, bass, drums, or guitar). It focuses on the fundamentals of good rhythm-section playing. Issues such as timekeeping, functional musical literacy, transcription, and modern performance practices are emphasized. Much of the class is dedicated to learning scales, jazz harmony, and improvisational techniques. Enrollment may be limited.

This course for saxophone, trumpet, and trombone players interested in developing skills for playing jazz and improvising focuses on developing technique, ear training, jazz repertoire, functional musical literacy, transcription, and modern performance practices. Students learn improvisational techniques used to create great jazz solos and professional tools of the trade for playing in a horn section. Enrollment may be limited.

Elements of theory, harmony, and form—including scales and keys, intervals, chords, structural analysis and manipulation of Common Practice harmony, as well as melodic and harmonic dictation—are thoroughly explored.