Jazz Band
The BRHS Jazz Program is a co-curricular offering to trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, and percussion students grades 9-12. There are two regularly operating ensembles - the Monday Jazz Band and the Tuesday Jazz Band. Auditions are typically held in November and the rehearsal and competitive jazz season runs from late November/early December until the end of April.
The Monday Band accepts the highest scoring auditionees and is directed by Dr. Bourgault. The Tuesday Band accepts remaining qualified auditionees and is directed by Mr. Mossa. Due to the nature of the jazz ensembles, instrumentation is fixed and not all students are guaranteed a position in either jazz band. We encourage all prospective students to maintain a committed year-long approach to the practice of jazz studies and improvisation throughout the year. Although jazz is a seasonal program offering, the study of jazz music is a never-ending musical pursuit and many of the highest achieving students in jazz band take private lessons with recommended professionals, attend live performances of professional jazz, attend summer programs, participate in local jam sessions, transcribe jazz solos, listen frequently to jazz music and learn to develop an understanding of the history and theory of jazz music.
The Monday Band accepts the highest scoring auditionees and is directed by Dr. Bourgault. The Tuesday Band accepts remaining qualified auditionees and is directed by Mr. Mossa. Due to the nature of the jazz ensembles, instrumentation is fixed and not all students are guaranteed a position in either jazz band. We encourage all prospective students to maintain a committed year-long approach to the practice of jazz studies and improvisation throughout the year. Although jazz is a seasonal program offering, the study of jazz music is a never-ending musical pursuit and many of the highest achieving students in jazz band take private lessons with recommended professionals, attend live performances of professional jazz, attend summer programs, participate in local jam sessions, transcribe jazz solos, listen frequently to jazz music and learn to develop an understanding of the history and theory of jazz music.
Both jazz bands routinely perform and compete within the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education (NJAJE) circuit. Although both jazz bands aim for competitive success, the core goals of both jazz ensembles aim far beyond the trophy - Jazz is a unique category of music that incorporates elements of many differing styles. The BR Band Program places an emphasis on understanding the nuances, variety, and diversity of styles that exist within the category of Jazz while also promoting the development of improvisation as a musical method of expression and communication. An additional emphasis is placed on the historical value of American jazz and the understanding of the culture as it was and how jazz music lives today. Participation in either jazz ensemble is guided by this philosophy and we are proud to offer these co-curricular ensembles as an extension of our comprehensive curricular opportunities.
Audition Information
Audition Information for the 2019/2020 School Year will be posted in the fall.