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About Jazz at Fieldston

Created in 1975, Jazz at Fieldston is one of the longest established high school jazz programs in the country. Although many graduates have found careers as professional musicians, recording engineers, teachers and music industry executives, the jazz classes at Fieldston are designed for musicians of all ability levels. Students learn the techniques and history of jazz through a hands-on performance based curriculum. The jazz ensembles have won awards at the Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center≠s Essentially Ellington competition. Guest artists regularly visit Fieldston to perform and teach and have included Wynton Marsalis, Milt Hinton, Dr. Billy Taylor, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, The Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Art Lande, Andy LaVerne, Eric Reed and Ben Allison.

The classroom experience

Students at Fieldston can pursue two courses of study in Jazz. Our large ensembles (Jazz Ensemble for beginners or Concert Jazz for advanced students) play the music of the great big bands of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thad Jones and others. Classes focus on improving student≠s music reading skills, intonation and ensemble playing while learning jazz phrasing and articulation. Musicians interested in performing with small combos may enroll in Jazz Improvisation I, II or III. These classes are smaller and are generally for more advanced players. Students study the music of jazz greats such as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and John Coltrane by learning standard jazz songs, transcribing solos and frequent performances. Jazz classes at Fieldston have open enrollment and do not require an audition.

Concerts are now posted on the web at the following locations:

The Fieldston Jazz channel on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/user/fieldstonjazz

Audio Only on Sound Cloud

http://soundcloud.com/jazzecfs

Click on a link for class music and performance dates

Concert Jazz

Jazz Ensemble

Improv 3

Improv 2

Improv I

Jazz Skills

8th Grade Jazz Ensemble

6th Grade Jazz Class (Music Appreciation)

General Information for Fieldston Jazz Students

Book Ordering Information

Instrument Repair, Rental and Supplies - a list of reliable companies for instrument maintenance and rentals.

Private Instrumental Teachers - a list of recommended private teachers on all instruments

Boston Trip - Information about our yearly trip to the Berklee High School Jazz Festival in Boston

Downloads - Fingering charts, Music Paper, Scales etc

Jazz Program Contact Information - How to Contact Mr. Christensen

10 Great Jazz CDs to buy