Jazz Band

Jazz Band is an extension of the high school music ensemble experience. Students will use their instrument to explore a variety of jazz styles and improvisation techniques. Students will demonstrate their learning through school and community performances. Performances occur outside the school day.

PREREQUISITE: Students must audition and be concurrently enrolled in Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, or Percussion. Orchestra & Choir students are also eligible. Guitar and keyboard players should contact Mr. Kruse.

HOMEWORK: 30 min of practicing daily + 30 min listening/week.

Audition Music

For the 2026-27 LWHS Jazz Ensemble audition instrumentalists will be playing Pressure Cooker by Sammy Nestico and vocalists will be singing I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love with Me by Jimmy McHugh, arranged by Darmon Meader.

The 2026-27 Jazz Audition Information can be found on Canva at this link: https://canva.link/jf2hz0ziiynglf5

Students should prepare the part that fits their comfort level. Audition section will be narrowed down the during the first week of class in September. This Summer please prepare the whole piece. Recordings have been provided for your convenience.

Remember to start slowly and work up speed. Auditions pieces will be rehearsed as a class during the first week of school and then the auditions will happen in the form of a video recording. Personnel decisions will be made in the second week of school.

Three Reminders:

Jazz Ensemble starts the first full day of school. Students do not need to be enrolled in Jazz Ensemble to audition. Please come to class and Mr. Kruse will take care of adding students to the class.
Jazz Ensemble is a class for credit; therefore, attendance is taken every day, and students are expected to be in class. Students will not be excused from Jazz Ensemble for other classes, clubs, or sports.
Jazz Ensemble members are expected to also be enrolled in a daytime ensemble (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Orchestra). Exceptions can be made for instruments that are not traditionally in daytime ensembles such as guitar and piano.

Fees & Scholarships

There are fees, which will be published by school

Financial assistance/scholarship support is available. Please contact your school counselor, Mr. Kruse, or LWHS Band+Jazz Boosters.

Events & Expectations

CONCERT DRESS

Concert dress is all black. Examples include: Black slacks, black button down or blouse, black socks, nice black shoes. Black dress, black tights, Black skirt and black blouse. A black blazer or sport coat is also okay. Black jeans, black sneakers, white socks, or shoes with any white on them are not acceptable.

Jazz Band students may also wear a purple tie or vest.

CONCERTS & FESTIVALS

The Jazz Bands perform in 5 concerts per year at LWHS, as well as in several jazz festivals around the region. Jazz students are also requested for performances at community and other events, such as the Kirkland Winterfest.

EXPECTATIONS

Our band curriculum focuses on two main areas: Ensemble Skills and Individual Musicianship Skills.

Ensemble skills are developed in class when prepared students play together. Our ensembles engage with a diverse band repertoire that requires students to practice and enhance their instrumental and sight-reading abilities outside class to perform effectively.

Individual Musicianship Skills involve mastering scales, articulation, rhythms, musical styles, and instruments. To support individual musicianship, students receive a subscription to MakeMusic, a platform that offers a wealth of learning resources and exercises for musicians on every instrument. Students are encouraged to seek private instruction and participate in various music festivals, camps, workshops, and contests.