Jazz Curriculum

Welcome to the Harrison Jazz Department!

Jazz  Department audition requirements can be found here

Jazz Calendar - February, 2012

Jazz Curriculum
Music Theory  I-II
Instrumental Ensemble I-II (Jazz Improvisation)
Jazz Ensemble I-IV
World Music Ensemble
Music Appreciation (Music History)
Advanced Placement Music Theory

Year I
Instrumental Technique I (1/2 Credit)
This course is designed to give the string, percussion, and wind student the necessary technical and sight-reading skills, which will enable the student to better evolve into the curriculum orchestral performance. This course is individualized to each student's ability level.
Music Theory I (1/2 Credit)
Study will include compositional practices and concepts from c. 1600 - 1900 beginning with rudimental musical principles and culminating in common-practice harmony and four-part vocal writing.
Jazz Ensemble I
This class is taken every year and serves as the primary instructional course for techniques and elements of performing jazz music.

Year II
Jazz Ensemble I
This class is taken every year and serves as the primary instructional course for techniques and elements of performing jazz music.
Jazz Improvisation I 
Students will acquire a technical, pedagogical and historical knowledge of and develop the ability to demonstrate improvisational techniques related to jazz performance.

Year III
Music Theory II
A continuation of Music Theory I, Music Theory II will have students studying compositional practices and concepts from c. 1600 - 1900. These concepts begin with rudimental musical principles and culminate in common-practice harmony and four-part vocal writing.
Jazz Ensemble III
This class is taken every year and serves as the primary instructional course for techniques and elements of performing jazz music
Jazz Improvisation II
Students will acquire a technical, pedagogical and historical knowledge of and develop the ability to demonstrate improvisational techniques related to jazz performance.

Year IV
Music Appreciation-Music History
The purpose of this course is for students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to value the historical contributions made by cultures and composers from 500 AD to present. Course content includes enabling students to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to identify music fundamentals, styles, composers, and performers. It also encompasses encouraging students to develop musical judgment and values, and requiring them to listen to live and recorded musical styles from various historical time periods.  
Jazz Ensemble IV
This class is taken every year and serves as the primary instructional course for techniques and elements of performing orchestral music.
Music Electives for Year IV (students choose one):
World Music Ensemble 
The purpose of this choir is to explore through performance the various styles and cultures of different regions of the world.  Students will develop basic fundamental skills in vocal production, choral performance techniques and an appreciation for the influence of the arts upon all cultures.
AP Music Theory
This class serves as a culminating Music Theory experience.  Study will include basic musical principles through advanced harmonic study/composition.  Students will take the AP Music Theory test and may receive college credit, providing a passing score on the test is achieved.

Performing Groups
Harrison Jazz Orchestra
This is the primary ensemble in the Jazz Department. The group focuses on Jazz ensemble music from all historical eras of the genre with an emphasis on high-quality group performance through dedicated individual practice and musicianship.

Wind Ensemble
This ensemble is comprised of the wind and percussion students of the Harrison Symphony and the Harrison Jazz Orchestra.The group focuses on the band and wind ensemble literature that will expose players to symphonic wind literature and challenge all players in terms of pedagogical development.

Jazz Combo(s)*
These groups focus on developing improvisational skills and small group performances. General instrumentation will vary and are student initiated and mainly student lead.with Director permission. 

Jazz improvisation I & II (1 credit each)
Improvisation I will include basic techniques of improvisation including diatonic and modal scales, scale choices, and basic major and minor harmonic progressions and is generally taken tn the Sophomore year. Improvisation II will include more advanced techniques of improvisation including diatonic and modal scales, scale choices, and advanced major and minor harmonic progressions and is generally taken in the Junior year.

Supplies
Orchestra/Jazz Band
• All instruments must be in working condition. • Pencils
Reed Instruments
• Students need 3 to 4 quality playable reeds.
Brass Instruments
• Students need valve oil and mouthpiece.
Percussion Instruments
• Students need a pair of general purpose snare drum sticks, general purpose timpani mallets, hard plastic bell mallets, medium yarn mallets and an appropriate stick bag.
Instrumental Techniques - Strings/Winds/Percussion/Jazz
• All instruments must be in working condition
• Folder
• Pencil
Electronic Music
• Folder
• Journal or notebook
• Flash memory (no more than 1G is needed)
AP Music Theory/Jazz Improvisation
• Folder
• Staff Paper (found free online)
• Pencils
Keyboard I-IV/Inst. Tech. III/Piano Ensemble
• Stereo headset
• ¼ ' Stereo adapter
Theory I
• Manuscript paper (8.5"x11")
• 3-ring notebook
• Pencils only
Theory II
• Manuscript paper (8.5"x11")
• 3-ring notebook
• Pencils only
• Stereo headset
• ¼" stereo adapter

Faculty
Robert Lambert 
B.M.E. Florida Southern College, M.M. University of South Florida, NBCT
Rob Lambert is the Director of Winds & Percussion and the Director of Jazz Studies. In 1996 Mr. Lambert founded the Chamber Winds and presented clinic/concerts with the group at the Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference, in 2000 and 2005.  The Harrison Symphony Orchestra performed at the FMEA President’s Concert in 2004 and performed the opening concert at the Midwest Clinic in 2007.  In 2010, the Symphony performed in La Croix Valmer, France at the Festival des Anches d’Azur.  In 2011, the Symphony made a second appearance at the FMEA President’s Concert.  Also under Mr. Lambert’s direction, the Harrison Jazz Ensembles have consistently received superior ratings at FBA District and State Music Performance Assessments and perform regularly around the central Florida area. Mr. Lambert was named conductor for the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra with the Sarasota Orchestra organization in August 2011.
In addition to conducting, Mr. Lambert teaches AP Music Theory at Harrison.  He has also served as an Adjunct Faculty member at various local post-secondary institutions.  He is a FBA certified Solo & Ensemble adjudicator in the area of percussion and also adjudicates various marching, concert, and jazz band events around the state. 
Mr. Lambert holds a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida Southern College. As well, he has obtained Music/EAYA certification from the NBPTS.  He was Harrison School for the Arts Teacher of the Year and is listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.  He is a member of the FMEA, the FBA, and the FOA.