We offer small and large weekly ensemble classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced middle and high school instrumentalists, giving you the chance to make music with your peers and improve your skills in the process.
Our ensembles perform in the Jazzschool Student Performance Series at the end of each quarter, and it’s totally free and open to the public. Invite your friends, family, and anyone else who loves great music to come and see you shine!
You’ll need to go through a placement audition but don’t worry; it’s just a formality to make sure you’re placed in the right ensemble for your skill level. Just follow the audition requirements and application instructions, and you’ll be on your way!
To apply for a fall youth combo, please fill out the Young Musicians Program Ensemble Application or contact program director Erik Jekabson for more information. erik@cjc.edu
2023 – 2024 School Year Audition Dates
High school and middle school combos: August 26 – 27, 2023
Studio Band: August 19 – 20, 2023
Studio Band Audition Materials
Advanced High School Jazz Workshop: August 27, 2023
Note: Auditions for Studio Band and Advanced High School Jazz Workshop take place once a year, each August. Auditions for high school and middle school combos and the high school funk ensemble are available each quarter.
Weekly Various Times
High School Jazz Combos
Gain a greater understanding of jazz theory and develop improvisation skills through the study and performance of challenging jazz repertoire.
Weekly Various Times
Middle School Jazz Combos
Learn to play jazz and improvise while covering a wide repertoire from John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Eddie Harris, and other jazz masters.
Mondays 6:30 – 8 pm Fall Quarter begins 9/18/23
Studio Band (High School Big Band)
Develop technique, knowledge of jazz style, and an ability to improvise through standard and contemporary big band repertoire.
Mondays 4:45 – 6:15 pm 9/18 – 11/27 (10 weeks) no class 11/20
Advanced High School Jazz Workshops
Explore the post-bop harmonic, melodic, rhythmic, and formal innovations of Coltrane, Shorter, Corea, Hancock, Brecker, and others in this multiple DownBeat award-winning ensemble.
Saturdays 10 – 11:30 am, 11:45 – 1:15 pm 9/23 – 12/2 (10 weeks) no class 11/25
High School Funk Ensembles
Learn the classic funk hits of James Brown, Sly Stone, and others.