Large Performance Ensembles

High School Big Band  “Studio Band” (Grades 9 – 12)

Award-winning ensembles providing training and performance opportunities to advanced high school musicians from throughout the Bay Area. Students develop technique, knowledge of jazz style and an ability to improvise through challenging literature for the large ensemble. The bands perform frequently throughout the Bay Area and participate in national jazz festivals and competitions throughout the United States and abroad. Performances have included Yoshi’s jazz club and Savanna Jazz, as well as jazz festivals in California, New York, Seattle, Idaho, and aboard including at the North Sea, Vienne, Montreux, Umbria and Victoria Jazz Festivals. Students also have the opportunity to participate in clinics and workshops with leading Bay Area jazz educators. Recent awards include winning the Monterey Next Generation Festival 3 years in a row (2009 – 2011) and 3 consecutive DownBeat awards (2010-2012). Full school year commitment is required for this ensemble. (16 –19 players per group)

Please note: students in this ensemble earn the equivalent of one semester unit 
of credit per quarter. Instrumentation: 5 saxes; 5 trumpets; 5 trombones; piano; bass; drums; guitar.

$195 per 10-week quarter
(fall, winter, spring)