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Swing music was, literally, made to be danced to. So, as part of our unit, students learn social dances from the period.  Putting the rhythm in their feet, and feeling the “swing” of the beat, helps their ability to interpret the music.

This year we are learning a line dance called the “Shim Sham” which was popular in the Harlem Swing venues of the 1930’s (most notably the Savoy Ballroom).  As of Friday, the students have learned the entire dance!

For students that are interested, there will be an opportunity to earn extra credit points by participating in our virtual Upbeat performance of the Shim Sham. More info will be shared in class this week.

A reminder to please have your student print out a copy of Stompin’ at the Savoy Leadsheet and Chord Outlines. If you need a printed copy, let Ms. Kluga know and she will provide one.

Is looking like it will be released after our February break. Date TBA.

Thank you to our awesome upper-classmen for leading these valuable sessions!

Monday 2/8: Jazz Band Tenor/Bari Sax with James, Jazz Band Trumpets with Michael and Trevor

Tuesday 2/9: Jazz Band Alto Saxes with Swaroop, Jazz Band Trombones with Colin

Our rehearsal this week will be Thursday 2/11 from 2-3pm in person, in the auditorium. Good job arriving by 1:50 this week. Please remember your paperwork. For students who are more comfortable rehearsing from home, please join us via Zoom.

HOMEWORK: This is our final rehearsal before our virtual concert recording. Be ready to record Sing, Sing, Sing using UpBeat later this week. Use A-ccompany to guide your practice. Attend your sectional (see above).

Many thanks to the YHS Band families who braved the cold today for ice skating at Bear Mountain! It was so fun to have this opportunity to spend some social time together.

Will take place this week. Specific instructions will be reviewed in class and are attached FYI. Below are links that students can use to practice for the assessment:

Concert Band All of Me Practice Assignment: https://play.upbeatmusicapp.com/perform/record?id=04FCE290D4C61FEA

Wind Ensemble Don’t Get Around Much Anymore Practice Assignment: https://play.upbeatmusicapp.com/perform/video/1D22427C3EC87807

For their video assessment, students are again required to wear Concert Black (from the waist up). Or, in celebration of the Swing Era, students are also welcome to wear 1940’s styles. Suggestions are below. Let me know if you have any questions.

Gentlemen

Usual Concert Attire:  Long sleeved button-down black shirt, (black shoes, black socks)

AND/OR Swing Additions: fedora hats, suspenders, solid color or pin striped shirts, colorful ties, jackets.

Ladies

Usual Concert Attire: Black top (appropriate neck-line, with sleeves), long black skirt or black pants.

AND/OR Swing Additions: Any color 1940’s style dress as long as it has an appropriate neckline, sleeves, and falls below the knee.  Other ideas are: polka dots, pin-curls, a flower in their hair

Will be released after February break. Date TBA.

As part of our A-ccompany app subscription, students gain access to a video library called “Mentored by the Masters.” Featuring the awesome professional musicians we listen to daily via the app, these short videos discuss musicianship, tips on performing jazz, and instrument-specific pedagogy. There is a video library for improvisation, alto sax, bari sax, trumpet, trombone, electric bass, and drums. The document to access the library is available on Dashboard. Enjoy!

TBD due to the storm. Ms. Kluga will announce during class this week.

Our rehearsal this week will be Thursday 2/4 from 2-3pm in person, in the auditorium. For students who are more comfortable rehearsing from home, please join us via Zoom.

HOMEWORK due at this rehearsal: ALL of Sing, Sing Sing. Be able to play all the correct notes and rhythms at the actual tempo. Use A-ccompany to guide your practice. Attend your sectional.

Jazz Band students, please do your very best to arrive by 1:50. This week we couldn’t start rehearsing until 2:20 because we were missing so many people.

A former band parent shared this article with Ms. Kluga, comparing the benefits of learning coding vs. the benefits of studying a musical instrument. Interesting stuff. Read the article here. 

Our next Swing Era song selection, Stompin’ at the Savoy, is ready for download. Please login to your Dashboard, click on Documents, click on Jazz and Swing Unit, find the part assignment chart, and print your part.