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/TBD/2010-12/TBD/2010
Winter 1/TBD/2011 – 5/TBD/2011
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.

News

2010/2011 Jazz Academy
Ensemble and Orchestra

Auditions for the 2010/2011 Jazz Academy Ensemble and Jazz Academy Orchestra begin in September. Further details available in August.
The JAEnsemble Rehearsal are at 5:45pm and JAOrchestra at 7pm every other Wednesday at Sligo Middle School.

CD Review in the Jazz Education Guide (Jazz Times)

The Jazz Academy Orchestra [JAO] CD is featured in the Jazz Education Guide which is presented by Jazz Times!  The guide normally acknowledges colleges and universities but the Jazz Academy of Music is honored that such a prestigious publication took the time to recognize the 7th through 12th grade students featured on the CD.
To purchase the CD [...]