Jazz Band
The BRHS Monday Jazz Band is a co-curricular offering to trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, and percussion students grades 9-12. 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 qualified auditionees and is directed by Dr. Bourgault. Monday Band aims to perform traditional and non-traditional big-band literature at the highest level in peer groups of highly visible and artistic top high school jazz bands in New Jersey.
Additionally, the BRHS Band Program is proud to offer any BRHS instrumentalists or vocalists the opportunity to participate in Panther Jazz. Panther Jazz is a non-auditioned lab-jazz band experience open to students interested in learning about jazz styles and derivative genres in a fun, non-competitive environment. Panther Jazz performs at BRHS Jazz Festival & Winter Extravaganza and features a variety of musical explorations throughout the jazz season. Sign ups for Panther Jazz open in November alongside auditions for Monday Jazz.
Additionally, the BRHS Band Program is proud to offer any BRHS instrumentalists or vocalists the opportunity to participate in Panther Jazz. Panther Jazz is a non-auditioned lab-jazz band experience open to students interested in learning about jazz styles and derivative genres in a fun, non-competitive environment. Panther Jazz performs at BRHS Jazz Festival & Winter Extravaganza and features a variety of musical explorations throughout the jazz season. Sign ups for Panther Jazz open in November alongside auditions for Monday Jazz.
Monday Band routinely performs and competes within the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education (NJAJE) circuit. Although the Monday Band aims for competitive success, the core goals of our jazz ensembles aim far beyond the trophy - Jazz is a unique category of music that incorporates elements of many differing styles. The BRHS 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. Musical emphasis is also placed on the cultural, historical, and uniquely valuable aspects of jazz as one of the true American art forms. 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.