New course in Music being offered at the Broadview Mansion

Music Course for High School Students:

“So You Want To Be a Music Major?”

Begins October 2 at the Broadview Mansion (Immanuel Bible Foundation)

For more information, click this link:

http://www.broadviewmansion.org/Music



Joshua Masterman

Normal Community High School Bands

Chiddix Junior High School Bands

develop your jazz skills

Here are two opportunities for students to develop their jazz skills. Both events will be held at Carl’s Pro Band in Bloomington.

Carl’s Pro Band Artist Series:
Glenn Wilson, Saxophone
Jazz Improvisation Master Class/Lecture
Saturday, September 11th

Doug Stone, Saxophone
Jazz Improvisation Master Class/Lecture
Saturday, October 9th

See http://www.carlsproband.com/ for details and to register.



Joshua Masterman
Normal Community High School Bands
Chiddix Junior High School Bands

2010 NCHS Graduation Ceremony

Photos from the 2010 Commencement Ceremony May 29, 2010 can be viewed and purchased by clicking HERE.

Jazz Night 2010

At last all of the photos have been posted for your viewing pleasure. The can be viewed and purchase by clicking HERE.

Don't forget there is also a sale going on right now. Check it out at http://www.musicman5photosblog.com/2010/05/end-of-school-year-sale.html and get your jazz photos while the sale is still going on!!!

Enjoy.

Unit 5 MP - Music Camp Scholarships

The Unit 5 Music Parents Association has budgeted $1,200 to offer to students that attend a summer music camp or program. The scholarship money will be equally divided among all of the students that are submitted by the directors of the Unit 5 music programs. The deadline has been moved earlier from previous years.

All names for the Unit 5 Music Parents scholarship funds must be submitted by Friday, 5/21/2010. There are no exceptions to this deadline! This deadline allows time for the checks to be written, mailed, and recorded before the end of the current fiscal year. Please send the following information for each student that is submitted:
a) Student's name.
b) Parent/Guardian name - this is important because the check is written to the parent/guardian and not the student.
c) Parent/Guardian complete address - needed to mail the check.

Information should be sent to Kim Monical by the Friday, 5/21/2010, deadline. Please contact me if there are any questions.

Kim Monical                    Cell # 530-1030
46 Conway Circle            Home # 808-1408
Bloomington, IL 61704    Home email: mjmonical@comcast.net
                                       Work email: kim.monical@countryfinancial.com (Preferred email)

videos from Intercity Jazz Festival

This is from the NCHS Jazz Ensemble performance at Intercity Jazz Festival 3/16/2010.

(Click on the song title to view the video.)

Groovin' Hard
Don't Know Why
Ran Kan Kan
What Is Hip
Theme from "Family Guy"

NCHS Jazz Ensemble at NCWHS Jazz Night

NCHS Jazz Ensemble at NCWHS Jazz Night, originally uploaded by Music Man5.

To view all of the photos of the NCHS Jazz Ensemble just click here.  

A video of the ensemble can be seen HERE 
, HERE and another HERE!!  Very Cool!

Sax solo! (NCHS Jazz Ensemble)

Sax solo! (NCHS Jazz Ensemble), originally uploaded by Music Man5.

To view all of the photos of the NCHS Jazz Ensemble just click here. 

Update - 03/11/2010

Jazz Ensemble Update
Thursday March 11, 2010

MARCH CALENDAR

Thursday, March 11 – Rehearsal, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Friday, March 12 – West Jazz Night
• Set list –Theme from “Family Guy”, Don’t Know Why, Groovin’ Hard, Ran Kan Kan, What Is Hip
5:15 – call time
5:30 – warm-up
5:45 – PERFORMANCE
6:15 – done

Tuesday, March 16 – Rehearsal, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Intercity Jazz Concert, 7:00 p.m.
• Central Catholic HS
6:45 – call time (I have not received our performance time yet; I’m working with the other directors and I’ll let you know ASAP. Plan on being done around 8:30-9:00. We will be courteous to the other bands and stay for the rest of the concert when we’re done.
• Set list – Groovin’ Hard, Ran Kan Kan, What Is Hip

Thursday, March 18 – Rehearsal, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – TENTATIVE

Friday, March 19 – ISU Jazz Festival – CANCELLED
• Due to several members of the ensemble not being available on this day, we have withdrawn from the festival. I’m sorry for any inconvenience. You are still welcome to attend the evening concert at 8:00 p.m. with the ISU Combo, Jazz Ensemble I, and guest artist Marvin Stamm. I think you might still be able to go to the master class at 4:00 p.m. since we paid our entrance fee for the festival.

March 22-26 – No rehearsal (Spring Break)

APRIL CALENDAR
We have two options in April:
1. We can continue regular rehearsals and learn some new charts for Jazz Night the first week of May; however, we’ll be missing folks who are in tennis, musical, and orchestra pit.
2. We can put regular rehearsals on hold until musical is over, begin again on Tuesday April 27th, and just polish the charts we’ve already learned this year. Instead of holding regular rehearsals, we could do some combo stuff during this time if anyone’s interested. The combo(s) would then be able to perform a few tunes at Jazz Night.
We will vote on these two options, with a MAJORITY rule deciding. Whatever is decided by the majority (over 50% of members in attendance and voting) will determine our schedule for April.


OTHER RANDOM THINGS

• As of 4:00 p.m. this afternoon, no one has approached me regarding the paper in the hallway last week. If this is not resolved by the time I leave the building tonight, the band will be participating in a school service project next Thursday evening during our regular rehearsal time. I will be contacting the custodians to see what they need help with and we’ll be pitching in with whatever needs to be done.

If the matter is resolved tonight, the band will have next Thursday evening off as an early Spring Break bonus!

• Activity Fee ($25): Mangialardi, Chamberlain
• Purdue Concert ($5): Mangialardi, Powell, Chamberlain
• Evanston Concert ($15): Mangialardi, Powell, Wessels, Chamberlain, Fritts
• Please bring my CD’s back if you’re done with them!
• That is all.

Update 3/9/2010

Due to the unavailability of several members of the ensemble, the band WILL NOT be performing at the ISU Jazz Festival on Friday, March 19th.

Music Man5 Photos now offers print packages.

To read about this new service please click HERE. Thanks.

Jazz Update - Please Read! (updated 3/9/2010)

Jazz Ensemble Update
Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Attendance Policy

Here is the attendance expectation/policy that was outlined in the Jazz Handbook at the beginning of the year:

Ensemble Expectations

• Exhibit a positive attitude.
• Have courtesy for other ensemble members.
• Be organized and responsible.
• Be on time.
• Be prepared.
• Work to develop and refine a sense of ensemble.
• Receive instruction and constructive criticism with maturity.
• Take advantage of learning opportunities such as clinics, festivals, and concerts.
• Pitch in and help out when assistance is needed.
• Represent NCHS with class and dignity whenever the band travels.

Rehearsals

Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Rehearsal attendance is mandatory. Excessive absences can result in dismissal from the organization. Please see the director if you have schedule issues/questions; there may be a way for you to participate in multiple activities. Vocalists’ rehearsal schedules will be determined by the director.

Performances

The Jazz Ensemble usually performs once or twice a month at venues ranging from various school and community events to high school/college jazz festivals and clinics.

NCHS also hosts “Jazz Night” in May each year. A tentative performance schedule will be available at the first rehearsal.

Performance attendance is mandatory. An absence from a Jazz Ensemble performance can result in dismissal from the organization.

These guidelines were established to help the ensemble be successful, yet they are not being adhered to by all members of the ensemble. The most glaring deficiencies are:

• Missing rehearsals for unexcused reasons (work/job/no explanation)
• Showing up late/leaving early without prior notification
• Failure of students to communicate with the director and resolve schedule conflicts in a timely manner
• A general lack of courtesy for the director and other ensemble members when it comes to taking care of business, being where you need to be, having with you what you need to have, and following through on your commitment.

Clarifications to the current rehearsal attendance are listed below. Please read carefully:

Excused absences:
• Illness
• Doctor’s appointment
• Family Emergency
• Another SCHOOL activity – must be worked out with Mr. Masterman at least 3 school days in advance
Unexcused absences:
• Work
• Homework/studying
• Non-school activity
• Any absence due to another school activity that is not worked out with director at least 3 school days in advance

From this point in the semester on, you may have TWO (2) excused absences and still participate in the Jazz Ensemble. After your third absence, you will be dismissed from the organization.

You may have ONE (1) unexcused absence and still participate in the Jazz Ensemble. After your second unexcused absence, you will be dismissed from the organization.

Half absences:

If you must come to a rehearsal late or leave early, this is a “half absence”. You must be present for at least half of the rehearsal (60 minutes) in order for it to count; if you are not present for at least 60 minutes, it will count as a full absence. The same guidelines for excused/unexcused apply here, and you must give notice at least three school days in advance.

You may have up to TWO full excused absences or FOUR half excused absences and still participate in the Jazz Ensemble. (You may also carry one full absence plus two half absences and still participate.)

Performance attendance is mandatory. An absence from a Jazz Ensemble performance can result in dismissal from the organization. You must attend the rehearsal directly preceding a performance in order to perform.

MARCH CALENDAR

Tuesday, March 2 – Rehearsal, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 4 – Rehearsal, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 9 – Adam Larson Quartet, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• Performance/Master Class
• $5.00 admission charge
• Open to all students

Thursday, March 11 – Rehearsal, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Friday, March 12 – West Jazz Night
• Set list – Groovin’ Hard, Don’t Know Why, Shiny Stockings, Ran Kan Kan, What Is Hip
5:15 – call time
5:30 – warm-up
5:45 – PERFORMANCE
6:15 – done

Tuesday, March 16 – Rehearsal, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Intercity Jazz Concert, 7:00
• Central Catholic HS
• I don’t have a concert order or warm-up performance times yet; I’ll let you know ASAP.

Thursday, March 18 – Rehearsal, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.


March 22-26 – No rehearsal (Spring Break)
 
OTHER RANDOM THINGS

• Activity Fee ($25): Schlehuber, Mangialardi, Chamberlain
• Purdue Concert ($5): Mangialardi, Wilhelmi, Powell, Chamberlain
• Evanston Concert ($15): Schlehuber, Mangialardi, Wilhelmi, Powell, Wessels, Titus, Moore, Chamberlain, Fritts
• Please bring my CD’s back if you’re done with them!

NCHS Jazz Ensemble at the Evanston Jazz Festival

Here is a video of NCHS Jazz Ensemble performing Mambo from Evanston Jazz Festival this past weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE3u5ynEzEI

Purdue University Jazz Festival - updated 1/22/2010

Purdue University Jazz Festival
Saturday, January 23 2010
REVISED SCHEDULE

*PLEASE NOTE: THE MORNING CALL TIME IS EARLIER DUE TO THE TIME DIFFERENCE (CENTRAL/EASTERN). WE WILL BE RETURNING ONE HOUR EARLIER, AS NOTED ON THE NEW SCHEDULE.

ALL FESTIVAL EVENTS ARE EASTERN TIME. YOU MAY WANT TO SET YOUR WATCHES AHEAD WHEN WE GET INTO INDIANA.

Itinerary:

4:45 a.m. – CENTRAL TIME – CALL TIME, load bus
5:00 – Depart NCHS
8:45 – EASTERN TIME – Arrive at Purdue University, check-in, unload equipment into storage room, change into dress clothes
9:30 – Warm-up
10:00 – PERFORMANCE/JUDGE’S CLINIC (Stewart Center, Loeb Playhouse)
10:30 – put stuff away quickly and head to CLINICS
10:30 – Chris Potter saxophone clinic (PMU Anniversary Tower Room), Robin Eubanks trombone clinic (PMU Anniversary Drawing Room)
11:00 – Dave Holland rhythm section clinic (Loeb Playhouse, Stewart Center)
12:00 – DePaul University Jazz Ensemble featuring Bob Lark (trumpet) and Mark Colby (tenor) (Stewart Center, Loeb Playhouse)
1:00 – Eddie Daniels jazz improvisation clinic (clarinet, sax, flute) (PMU North Ballroom)
2:00 – Bob Lark jazz improvisation clinic (trumpet) (PMU Anniversary Drawing Room)
3:00 – Hang out and listen to other bands
5:00 – Champaign Central Jazz Ensemble (Stewart 302)
5:30 – Awards Presentation (PMU North Ballroom)
6:00 – Dinner
7:30 – Final Concert featuring Eddie Daniels with the Purdue University Jazz Band
9:00 – Concert ends, load bus
9:30 – Depart Purdue University (we will probably make a QUICK stop on the way home for restrooms)
11:30 p.m. CENTRAL TIME – arrive at NCHS, unload bus

• Read this information and share with it with your parental units.
• Saturday will be non-stop crazy. Get all your stuff ready Friday night so you can just wake up and go on Saturday morning without having to think too much!
• Be on time! The bus will leave at 5:00 a.m., whether or not YOU are on it!
• We will have only 45 minutes when we get to West Lafayette to get unloaded and then go warm-up. I suggest wearing your dress shirt and pants on the bus and then tying the tie and putting on the jacket when we get there. There will be NO changing on the bus!
• Act responsibly, make good decisions, and be respectful to adults and other students. You are to be especially respectful and attentive during the judge’s clinic following our performance. Remember: you are representing yourself, the band, Normal Community High School, as well as everyone who supports you. Make us proud of you.
• Our set: Shiny Stockings, Mambo, In the Stone
• We will bring:
o Bass and guitar amps, cables
o Cymbals
o Drum set, piano, and vibes will be provided by the university.
• Dress:
o Street clothes for clinics, concerts, hanging out, and the BUS RIDE HOME (nothing scummy)
o Formal dress clothes for performances (shirt, tie, dress pants, dress socks, dress shoes, suit jacket: conservative – business attire. Nothing outrageous—i.e., purple suits and/or ridiculous top hats, etc. Fedoras are okay but must be removed during performances. And unless your name is Sonny Rollins and you’re playing tenor under a downtown NYC bridge after midnight, sunglasses are absolutely prohibited while playing jazz.)
• TRIPLE CHECK to make sure you have all of your stuff with you before we leave NCHS:
o Instrument, mutes, reeds, valve oil, sticks, mallets, cables, folder and music, etc.
o All of your dress clothes – jacket, pants, shirt, tie, belt, dress shoes, dress socks, etc.
o Mindless bus entertainment, snacks
o Money for food
o Money for souvenirs (CD’s, books, T-shirts, key chains, postcards from West Lafayette, etc.)
• Get a good night’s sleep and eat a complete, nutritious breakfast before coming to school in the morning.
• If your parents would like to ride along as a chaperone, have them contact me at mastermj@unit5.org. I reserved 7 extra tickets to the evening concert, so they are more than welcome to come along.
• Tickets to the evening concert are $5.00 (reduced from the general public admission cost). Please bring $5.00 to me ASAP. Remember, cash must be in an envelope with your name on the outside. Checks should be made payable to “NCHS Bands” with your name and “Purdue Concert” on the memo line.
• The clinics are a huge reason we’re attending this festival. All of the clinicians are professional, world-renowned recording artists with a long list of recordings and performance credentials (The Dave Holland Quintet/Chris Potter in particular is a favorite of mine). Be attentive during clinics; you may want to bring a notebook and some manuscript paper to write down tips and/or musical examples.
• Food will be available for purchase in the Student Union. There are a lot of clinics, so grab something to eat fast and then go learn stuff.

2010 Calendar of Events

Here is a tentative list of events that the ensemble will be involved in:

Jan 22-23    Purdue University Jazz Festival
Feb 6          Evanston Township High school Jazz Festival
Mar 12       Normal West Jazz Night

May 7        NCHS Jazz Night


Joshua Masterman
Normal Community High School Bands
Chiddix Junior High School Bands
mastermj@unit5.org

Why Music Matters

From YouTube "Why Music Matters". This is a fairly short audio piece that I highly recommend listening to. Click HERE to listen to it.

NCHS Jazz Ensemble Information

NCHS Jazz Ensemble Information
2009-10

(To view and print this online go to: http://www.unit5.org/nchs/music/Forms.htm and click on the NCHS Jazz Ensemble link.)

Joshua Masterman, Director
mastermj@unit5.org

Introduction

The NCHS Jazz Ensemble rehearses and performs a diverse repertoire of music, ranging from Dixieland, swing, and bebop to Latin and fusion (rock/funk). The goals of the NCHS Jazz Ensemble are to help students develop:

• Instrumental technique
• Ensemble performance skills
• Creativity through improvisation
• Helpful knowledge of jazz theory
• Familiarity with the music’s history and great recording artists, composers, and arrangers (listening)
• Sight-reading skills, a must for any musician wishing to continue playing after high school.

Ensemble Expectations

• Exhibit a positive attitude.
• Have courtesy for other ensemble members.
• Be organized and responsible.
• Be on time.
• Be prepared.
• Work to develop and refine a sense of ensemble.
• Receive instruction and constructive criticism with maturity.
• Take advantage of learning opportunities such as clinics, festivals, and concerts.
• Pitch in and help out when assistance is needed.
• Represent NCHS with class and dignity whenever the band travels.

Membership / Instrumentation

The Jazz Ensemble is open to any NCHS music student who plays a standard jazz instrument (saxophone, trombone, trumpet, piano, bass, drum set, vibraphone, and guitar). The band will have five saxophones (two altos, two tenors, and one baritone), four or five trombones, four or five trumpets, two pianos, two basses, two drum set players, and two vocalists.

• Saxophone players are highly encouraged to learn the flute and clarinet doubles.

• Flute and clarinet players wishing to audition for the jazz ensemble must learn the saxophone double and acquire/have access to an instrument.

• Trumpet players must own the following mutes: straight, Harmon, plunger (small), cup (hat mutes will be provided by the school)

Membership / Instrumentation (continued)

• Trombones players must own the following mutes: straight, plunger (large), cup, (hat mutes will be provided by the school)

• Euphonium players are highly encouraged to learn the trombone double so that the section can play with consistent blend and intonation. NCHS owns two valve trombones for student use in jazz ensembles if a student cannot play trombone or does not have access to one.

• Pianists should be able to read notated parts as well as interpret basic chord changes with appropriate voicings. Players with a deficiency in this skill (reading chord changes) should see Mr. Masterman for help in learning jazz chord symbols and voicings. Up to two (2) pianists will be accepted for the Jazz Ensemble.

• Guitarists must be able to read written music notation, chord changes, and understand basic jazz chord construction and voicings (at least up to 7th and 9th chords). Up to two (2) guitarists will be accepted for the Jazz Ensemble.

• Bassists must be able to read music notation and will be expected to learn to walk chord changes when there is no written bass part. Although players may audition on either acoustic or electric, they are highly encouraged to learn both. Up to two (2) bassists will be accepted for the Jazz Ensemble.

• Drum set players may also audition on vibraphone. Up to two (2) drum set players will be accepted for the Jazz Ensemble. Vibraphonists, like pianists, will need to develop the ability to read and interpret chord changes and become familiar with basic four-mallet technique.

Auditions

Jazz Ensemble auditions will be held at NCHS between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on the following evenings:

Wednesday, October 28: Saxophones and Vocalists
Thursday, October 29: Trumpets and Trombones
Tuesday, November 3: Rhythm Section

Audition time slots will be posted in the band hallway soon. Sign up for the earliest available time that fits with your activity schedule.

Audition requirements for instrumentalists are as follows:

• Play excerpts from the required selection (For Gil by Tom Matta).
• Play a two-chorus improvised solo over F blues. A play-along accompaniment recording (piano, bass, and drums) will be provided for this part of the audition.
• Sight-reading




Audition requirements for vocalists are as follows:

• Sing “A Foggy Day” (memorized).
• Scat a two-chorus improvised solo over F blues
• A CD accompaniment will be provided upon request for use in preparing for the audition.

Drum set players should be prepared to demonstrate a knowledge of swing (medium and up-tempo), jazz waltz, latin (bossa, samba, etc.), funk-rock, and a slow ballad style (with brushes). The improvised solo will consist of “trading fours” with an imaginary soloist: four bars of “time” (swing) alternating with four bars of drum solo. Drum set players should also be prepared to sight-read a chart and set up figures written in the chart with short, improvised fills.

Rehearsals

Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Rehearsal attendance is mandatory. Excessive absences can result in dismissal from the organization. Please see the director if you have schedule issues/questions; there may be a way for you to participate in multiple activities. Vocalists’ rehearsal schedules will be determined by the director.

Performances

The Jazz Ensemble usually performs once or twice a month at venues ranging from various school and community events to high school/college jazz festivals and clinics.

NCHS also hosts “Jazz Night” in May each year. A tentative performance schedule will be available at the first rehearsal.

Performance attendance is mandatory. An absence from a Jazz Ensemble performance can result in dismissal from the organization.

Activity Fees

The Jazz Ensemble activity fee is $25.00 and is due at the first rehearsal (make checks payable to “NCHS Bands”). This fee helps defray the cost of music, festivals, and equipment for the jazz program. The fee must be paid before the student is allowed to perform with the band.

NCHS Jazz Blog: http://nchsjazz.blogspot.com/

The NCHS Jazz Blog is the place to go for up-to-date information concerning all aspects of the Jazz Ensemble. Rehearsal schedules, festival itineraries, and pictures from events can all be found there.

Contract

After reading this information, please sign the form on the back page and turn it in at your audition.

STUDENTS:

I have read the 2009-10 NCHS Jazz Ensemble information packet, and I understand the policies and expectations contained within.




Student Name Date



PARENTS:

I have read the 2009-10 NCHS Jazz Ensemble information packet, and I understand all of the policies and expectations contained within. My student has my permission to audition and participate in the NCHS Jazz Ensemble.




Parent Name Date

Midwest Jazz Collective

July 7, 2009 Press Release Contact: Alison Hatcher



Midwest Jazz Collective
At McLean County Arts Center


McLean County Arts Center presents a jazz clinic and performance by the Midwest Jazz Collective on Friday, July 17.

Midwest Jazz Collective features Adam Larson on saxophone, Gabe Medd on trumpet, Adam Kromelow on piano, Sam Selinger on bass, and Bryan Carter on drums.

The free jazz clinic with Midwest Jazz Collective will be on Friday, July 17, from 3:30pm to 5:00pm for Grades 6 through 12. Please register in advance by phone, 309.829.0011 or email tony@mcac.org.

The performance, which marks the release of Midwest Jazz Collective’s new cd, divine accident, will be on Friday, July 17, at 7pm. Tickets are $5/MCAC members and students and $10/general.

Midwest Jazz Collective’s jazz clinic and performance are generously sponsored by Carl’s Pro Band, Anonymous, The Doran Family, The Thoma Insurance Group, Bruce & Jeannie Breitweiser, Ralph Clark, and Jim & Carol O’Donnell.

McLean County Arts Center is located at 601 N. East Street in downtown Bloomington. MCAC hours are Tuesday, 10am – 7pm; Wednesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm, and Saturday, Noon – 4pm. For more information, please call 309/829-0011 or visit www.mcac.org.

NCHS Jazz collage from the last few years

Check out this online collage of jazz photos!

Something for you Mr. M - updated 5/19/09

Something for you Mr. M, originally uploaded by Music Man5.

From the Seniors!

For more photos click HERE.

To view the video of "Count Bubbas Revenge" click here.

To view the video of "Ain't my Fault" click here.

To view the video of "The Dance of Denial" click here.

To view the video of "Almost like being in love" click here.

Jazz Night Photos!!

At last I have all the Jazz Night photos uploaded!! There are quite a few, so it make take awhile to browse them. Click here to go to the album.

All the performances were great! A big well done to all everyone, students and parents!!!

Enjoy!!