The Jazz Academy Orchestra (JAO)

The Jazz Academy Orchestra “JAO” is a large ensemble where students learn and perform the big band charts of Duke Ellington, Glen Miller and other writers of the big band era and beyond. It is a great evening program for young musicians grades 7th thorough 12th. Classes meet during the school year. There are two semester, Fall ( starts at the end of September) and Winter (starts at the end of January). Class sessions are bi-weekly on Wednesday at Sligo Middle School in Silver Spring, Maryland under the direction of Paul Carr. The Orchestra performs at various events in the D.C. Metropolitan area.

Program

The Orchestra will perform 2-3 times each semester at various venues around the Washington Metropolitan area. The Orchestra focus is on the straight-ahead jazz genre. The orchestra will be comprised of 18 – 20 instruments. In the past Jazz Academy students have performed at wonderful venues and events such as the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, East Cost Jazz Festival, Blues Alley Supper Club, The Big Band Bash on the Mall and the University of Maryland. The orchestras will be performing at similar events and venues in the coming year.

As with all Jazz Academy offerings, students will work with professional musicians to enhance their skills in the interpretation of the music.

Location

Place Sligo Middle School
1401 Dennis Ave
Silver Spring, MD
Term Fall: 9/21/2011-12/7/2011
Winter 1/11/2012 – 5/9/2012
Performance Attire Students must have:

  • Males: Black Jacket, Long Black Pants, White Shirt and a Black Tie.
  • Females: Black Jacket, Long Black Pants, Long Black Skirt and a White Blouse.

The Jazz Academy will provide:

  1. A Jazz Academy Polo Shirt
  2. A Jazz Academy Patch that must be sewn onto the left pocket area of the Black Jacket.

Students will wear the following for:

  1. Formal performances: Black Jacket and Pants or Skirt, White Shirt with tie or Blouse
  2. Upscale casual performance: Black Jacket and Pants with Polo Shirt.
  3. Casual performances: Black Pants with Polo Shirt.

Notices

Vocalists .....

JAM Camp and JAM Lab for the Beginner and Intermediate Level Vocalists

If you are a singer, in 5th - 12th grade, interested in exploring the world of Jazz then JAM Camp and JAM Lab are for you. It will allow you to expand your knowledge of Jazz and improvisation, and help to take your vocal performance to the next level.
Instructor: Eric Byrd
Click here for more information!

Register Now

Register now for JAM Camp

Transportation

Airport/Ground Transportation

Ground transportation available to and from IAD, DCA, BWI, BWI Amtrak, Union Station, Penn Station, and other major hubs to JAM Lab. [$80]

JAM Camp Transportation

Daily transportation to JAM Camp available from June 25 until July 13. Service is "Pickup" [$238] or "Pickup and Dropoff" [$475} at Sandy Spring Friends School. Pickups are Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville, and Glenmont Metros.
NO TRANSPORTATION and/or CLASS July 4 and after final concert on July 13.
NOTE: Pickup, or Pickup and Dropoff transportation to and from Sligo Middle School: FREE

News

The Jazz Academy at Sandy Spring Friends School!

The Jazz Academy of Music is partnering with Sandy Spring Friends School to bring music and jazz programming to the community! JAM Camp and JAM Lab are for 5th - 12th graders! Click the icon below to see pictures of SSFS -- a 140-acre site just 17 miles from the nation's capital!
Click Here to go to Sandy Spring Friends School Summer Camp Program!

Transportation available for JAM Camp: Transportation to JAM Lab is available from BWI, IAD, and DCA:

And, for the 5th and 6th Grade JAM Camp Student!

Extended Care before JAM Camp by SSFS from 9am - 11am: Lunch and Learn by the Jazz Academy from 11am - 1pm:

Links

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival: Standing Up for Real Jazz

Paul Carr