Bayshore High School – Jazz Band 1-4 Honors

Mar 2026 · 2nd Semester

Students with experience on an instrument suited for jazz ensemble explore the fundamentals of performance practices, improvisation, and music theory through a diverse repertoire of high-quality jazz literature. Students learn the basics of foundational jazz styles, use chord symbols, develop knowledge of musical structure, and study the history of jazz and its iconic musicians. As students become more sophisticated and enter higher levels of these courses, they also become familiar with the cultural context of various compositions and artists, applying their theory skills to arranging, transposition and composing, improvise over various forms, keys, and styles, are knowledgeable about the professional jazz scene and its icons, student the impact of technology on jazz and the music industry, and learn the basics of sound reinforcement for solo and ensemble performance. Public performances serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students are REQUIRED to attend and participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. Students in this class need to obtain (e.g., borrow, rent, purchase) an instrument from an outside source. Students are REQUIRED to participate in Concert and Marching Band.