The jazz program at Mitchell includes the jazz ensemble and a 7th and 8th grade jazz combo. All of these groups rehearse during study center and occasionally before school. The jazz ensemble is usually made up of 8th grade band students and puts on two concerts in the little theater each year. In addition to these performances the jazz ensemble has performed at such events as honors night, in-coming 6th grade recruitment night, the RUSD district jazz festival, the festival of trees and elementary school tours.
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Guest soloists such as saxophonist Steve Jacob, trombonist Jon Klokow, trumpeter Eric Jacobson, percussionist Mark Pulice and saxophonist Pat Odell are brought in each year to perform with our jazz students. In addition to learning the concepts of playing in the jazz style, students will be exposed to the many types of jazz music including blues, swing, funk, pop, rock and latin. The Mitchell jazz program in the future will also include mini-clinics with professional jazz musicians and trips to state jazz festivals.
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The jazz combos are smaller groups consisting of the rhythm section and 2-3 instruments in the horn section. The focus of these groups is to begin the concept of jazz improvisation - that is - to make up solos using only scale notes and patterns. The jazz combos perform at the two jazz concerts and the RUSD district jazz festival. They have also performed at honors night, open house and the Mitchell Elementary School corn roast.
2001/02
Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos - Important Dates
- to be announced -
