Mikel Combs, Director of Composition/Performance Ensemble
Ian Sims, Director of Preparatory Jazz Workshop Ensemble
Open to middle school age through adult musicians in piano, guitar, bass, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. These exciting groups are designed to give students exposure in reading and performing music of varying styles and levels of difficulty from the standard jazz repertoire as well as more recent works. It also presents an opportunity for young musicians to apply classroom skill sets, including previous music theory, improvisation, and aural training. Students will also address fundamental issues related to playing in the instrumental ensemble setting. Ensemble performance opportunities are available at Preparatory events, festivals, concerts, and competitions throughout the local region.
Members receive the added bonus of an invitation to observe all Conservatory Jazz Department master classes and participate in special sessions with distinguished Peabody Conservatory Jazz faculty and other renowned guest artists.
Membership is open by audition only and previous ensemble experience is not required. Everyone is welcome to audition for the Jazz Ensembles regardless of whether the student is in individual instruction at the Preparatory. (Only students in individual instruction are eligible to participate in Preparatory recitals and competitions.)
Performance of all major scales and chromatic scale; Performance of two songs of contrasting style (although the ability to improvise is not required, its demonstration is strongly encouraged); Sight-reading.
Piano and guitar: demonstrate ability to comp in various styles or read a prepared étude
Bass: demonstrate the ability to play in a range of styles and tempos including 4/4 walking, jazz waltz, bossa nova, slow ballad, and rock or funk groove.
Drums: demonstrate the ability to play in a range of styles and tempos (using both sticks and brushes) including swing, jazz waltz, bossa nova, slow ballad, samba, Afro-Cuban, shuffle, and rock or funk groove.
Mikel Combs, Director
| Students in Individual Instruction at the Preparatory | Students not in Individual Instruction at the Preparatory |
| PP.410.104 | PP.410.105 |
Ian Sims, Director
| Students in Individual Instruction at the Preparatory | Students not in Individual Instruction at the Preparatory |
| PP.410.106 | PP.410.107 |
For a listing of all our jazz individual and group instruction opportunities, see our lessons and classes page.
Once you’re ready to register for individual instruction in jazz, please visit our registration page.