JAZZ ENSEMBLE !
Pictured Above: Niki Love, lead trumpet; Jeremy Harrison, Tenor Sax
Kamiakin's Jazz Ensemble is our busiest performing group. It's our most mobile group and can perform for a variety of community events, private parties, and school functions.
The Jazz Ensemble is Kamiakin's only band that requires an audition. The audition process takes place from 7:15-8:10am during the 2nd week of school and is low-stress. Here is the process:
Monday = Just the CURRENT members show up to review music and coordinate the week's logistics.
Tuesday = All those auditioning simply play with the current band members. Sightreading skills are assessed by the band and Mr. Brannman as candidates rotate in and out of the group. No one is asked to play alone or to take a solo.
Wednesday = Same as Monday but with different sightreading music.
Thursday = Only the trumpet, trombone & saxophone candidates play for Mr. Brannman in a practice room to show their strengths and facility on the instrument.
Friday = Only the piano, guitar, bass & drummers audition from 7:15-7:45. At 7:45, the CURRENT members and Mr. Brannman meet together to assemble the best band based on group auditions (playing with the band), individual auditions (playing alone with Mr. B), and grade level rotation for future years. The grade level rotation is a crucial factor in Kamiakin's ongoing success because we take into account who and how many students will be leaving for high school and who and how many we have to take their place the following year. Because of this factor, 7th and 8th grade candidates are quite valuable to the band. Results of the auditions are posted on the wall by 10:00am.
Emily Peterson, vibraphone, at Frost Elementary's Dedication ceremony
Jeff Roetcisoender; one of our TEN 7th grade jazzers