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Jazz, Funk, and Rock Ensembles

Get ready to rock, groove, and swing! CCM’s Jazz, Funk, and Rock Ensembles offer musicians the vital opportunity to move beyond solo practice and truly discover the magic of group performance. These ensembles are the heart of what we contribute to our community—a space where emerging and experienced musicians learn to collaborate, improvise, and develop a shared musical voice. Under the guidance of professional faculty like Yoshi Honjo and Giuseppe Paradiso, you’ll learn to play with cohesion, explore diverse genres, and ultimately, find your place in the local music scene.

Placement auditions will be held during these class times:

  • Monday, October  14, 7:00-8:00 pm with Yoshi Honjo
  • Tuesday, October 15, 3:00-4:00 pm with Giuseppe Paradiso
  • Tuesday, October 15, 6:00-7:00 pm with Giuseppe Paradiso

Audition Requirements: 

All students should prepare the following for a placement audition in our jazz, funk, and rock ensembles.

  • Song of your choice *please be prepared to play with and without a backtrack. Students should bring their own backtrack. CCM will provide a bluetooth speaker.*
  • Improvisation over a 4-12 bar blues
  • Other requirements as specified by your instrument (see below)

Woodwinds and Strings 

  • An improvisation over either an F or B-flat blues scale
  • The song of your choice can be the MMEA Junior District piece or equivalent, no backtrack needed.
  • MMEA Junior district scales or equivalent (all major scales up to 3 sharps and flats and chromatic scale)

Guitar 

  • The blues improvisation is recommended by more advanced students, but not required by all

Bass 

  • Play a walking bass line with a track of your choice that is in 2
  • You may be asked to sight-read a walking bass line, or improvise a bass line and solo from a lead sheet provided by the instructor

Percussion 

  • Sight-read rhythms and play back rhythms by ear
  • You may be asked to demonstrate different styles and drum beats
  • Additionally, you may be asked to play along with the instructor

SIGN UP TODAY! 

For more information, please contact the CCM office at (978) 369-0010

  • Age Group(s): 9-12, 13-18, Adult, Lifelong Learners
  • Instrument: strings, guitar, woodwind, percussion