The Jazz Ensemble is a performance-oriented ensemble designed for serious, dedicated musicians by audition only. Students get a "real-world" experience performing a wide variety of jazz music, including big band, swing, bebop, Latin, funk, and rock. Special attention is given to the development of improvisational skills and reading jazz charts. Jazz Ensemble is a zero period course and starts promptly at 7:17AM.

Students complete the course with a higher level of performance skills and musical knowledge. Students must already posses basic sight-reading skills and musicianship. Jazz Ensemble is expected to participate and perform at concerts, festivals, clinics, pep rallies, community events, and other gigs throughout the school year. Students must regularly attend rehearsals to participate in performances, especially the rehearsals and run-throughs leading up to the performance.

Students must be in the Gahr Instrumental Music Program for a minimum of one (1) year or have participated in a middle school jazz band to be eligible to audition for Jazz Ensemble. While prior experience in middle school or another high school can certainly be helpful, there is specific training, fundamentals, and rehearsal procedures that are unique for our program.

All students must also be enrolled in another performance ensemble during the school day (Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion).