Flynntones

About

This small jazz ensemble for intermediate instrumentalists and vocalists in grades 7-12 with an interest in jazz, plays a wide variety of music by composers such as Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Stevie Wonder and Sly Stone. The small ensemble setting of this group is particularly designed for students looking to build their improvisational skills. All students are encouraged (although not required) to improvise, and class time is devoted to foundational skills for the improviser, including building a vocabulary of scales and melodic patterns. 

This class culminates in a final performance at Jazz Fest.

**Participating students will be asked to commit to missing no more than one class and to be available for the final performance on June 4th.

AUDITIONS

Students who are new to the ensemble must audition for the group.

• Students are encouraged to bring one or two prepared pieces to the audition. Pieces may be in any style that demonstrates their musical strengths and interests. Playing a jazz tune with or without improvisation is encouraged but not required.  Students on all instruments except drums will also be asked to play major scales in a few keys of their choice and to do some sight reading (this is not a deal breaker part of the audition but rather a chance for the director to assess the overall skill level of the group.)  Students on chord instruments (piano, bass or guitar) will be asked to sight read a short chord progression (between 8 and 16 measures) from chord symbols, and drummers will be asked to play in variety of standard jazz time feels (swing, bossa nova, waltz, etc.) from the rhythms with which they are familiar.  
• The audition will be followed by a brief discussion about placement. To schedule an audition, follow this link and complete the audition form.  Email the Flynn Education team at Education@flynnvt.org with any questions.