By Marisa Ellis
Circulation Editor
Mira Costa band director Joel Carlson held a clinic session for the after-school second semester Jazz Band Program on Jan. 14 in the band room to help students who want to further their skills and give the opportunity to play more jazz music outside of class time.
The Jazz Band program is different from the Jazz one program during school because they focus on a large band setting instead of small group performances.
“I put together an additional opportunity for jazz band members to practice and strengthen their skills,” Carlson said. “It is hard to fit in first semester because freshman may want to join the program after experiencing their first semester in high school.”
When second semester class starts, this program will be practicing pieces three times a week. Carlson will show musicians three popular styles of jazz: swing, ballad, and Latin.
“I wanted to get experience as an alto saxophone player,” freshman Adam Aronesty said. “The different types of jazz music are going to be a whole new style to learn then we do during class.”
According to Aronesty, every student that tries out is guaranteed to make the program. Carlson has a portion of a big band chart that the band member have to play and then improvise a solo over blues. This assessment lets him see where the student is in his or her jazz education and helps him decide if he wants to put a student in a position where you will have to do a solo over the band.
“This clinic helps newer students to jazz get into the rhythm of things,” sophomore Hunter Cross said. “The main difference from jazz one is the new students who haven’t played jazz will need to get use to the swung eight notes, which gives the music a more relaxed feeling.”
The after-school program will begin the semester by playing different pieces that Carlson has not decided yet. During the middle of the semester, members will decide a few pieces they will show case in a concert in June to show their progress of what they learned.
“This is an excellent program for students to further pursue their jazz skills and learn new concepts that will help them in their career,” Carlson said.
According to Cross, this program will focus on the ensemble part of Jazz where a group of five saxes, four trombones, four trumpets, a pianist, a guitarist, a bassist and a drummer will read off of written music.
“I had friends who were in the normal curricular day Jazz program that recommended joining because it focuses on a larger group of students playing together while Jazz one is focusing on music for Carnegie Hall,” Cross said. “It was a perfect stepping stone to open doors to a brand new way of approaching music.”
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