Our Jazz Program

Private Lessons on piano, guitar, woodwinds, brass, drums, bass (30, 45, or 60 minutes) are designed to develop technique specific to playing the instrument, grow knowledge of and appreciation for all forms of jazz music, and cultivate performance skills as a jazz musician,  especially as an improviser.

Learning is a life-long pursuit.  Jazz students should expect to take private lessons annually through high school and are encouraged to continue studying past high school. 

Ensembles:

Participating in a jazz combo (three to six players) is the ultimate creative performance opportunity for jazz musicians.  BMS offers ensembles for students of all ages and abilities.

In addition, BMS offers an Honors Jazz Ensemble. This ensemble is tuition-free and enrollment is offered only to the most serious and accomplished musicians, either by invitation from the Jazz Department Co-Chairs or by audition.

Jazz Theory Classes are offered as an ascending series of four six-week courses. These classes support students’ work in private lessons and ensembles.  The classes may be taken contiguously (fall term, spring term) or over a period of two years (or more, if necessary). These six-week courses alternate each term with jazz history courses.

Jazz History Classes are offered as a sequence of four six-week courses.  They are designed to give students a broad and deep exposure to the history of development of jazz music in all its forms.  They are offered in alternation with jazz theory classes with each semester (fall and spring) having a six-week theory course followed by a six-week jazz history course.

Select a course using the buttons at the top of the screen to learn more.