Seattle JazzED - Ensembles

Seattle JazzED is open to all students in grades 4 - 12 throughout the Seattle region. Placement in one of the seven Seattle JazzED Ensembles will be through audition. In order to support the continuance and excellence of music education in the public schools, all Seattle JazzED students will be required to participate in their school music programs.

Auditions for the 2011-2012 season were held in September, with classes starting in October.
For registration information, click here »

Introductory Ensemble
Students in the Introductory Ensemble Class do not need any previous musical experience. No audition is required. Directed by Ray Baldwin Meets twice weekly on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 4 to 5:30 Location: First AME Church, 1522 14th Ave, Seattle	MAP » BUS ROUTES »

Beginning Ensemble
Students in the Beginning Ensembles are expected to have control of their instruments, the ability to read music, and familiarity with scales. Directed by Robert Knatt Ensemble meets each Monday from 4:00 to 6:00 Location: Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S. Alaska Street	MAP » BUS ROUTES »

Intermediate Ensemble
Students in the Intermediate Ensembles are expected to have control of their instruments, the ability to read music, and familiarity with scales. Intermediate students should have at least one year of ensemble playing experience and adequate sight-reading skills. Directed by Robert Knatt Ensemble meets each Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:00 Location: Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S. Alaska Street	MAP » BUS ROUTES »

Advanced Ensemble
Advanced Ensemble students must have proficient instrument handling skills, solid sight-reading ability and at least two years of experience playing in a jazz ensemble at the middle or high school level. Directed by Clarence Acox/Robert Knatt Meets each Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 Location: Garfield High School, 400 23rd Avenue	MAP » BUS ROUTES »

New Works Ensemble
New Works Ensemble students must have proficient instrument handling skills, solid sight-reading ability and at least two years of experience playing in a jazz ensemble at the middle or high school level. Instruments that are not traditional to jazz performance are welcome! Directed by Wayne Horvitz Meets each Saturday from 3:00 to 5:00 Location: The Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave S.	MAP » BUS ROUTES »

Click here to view the Seattle JazzED Calendar »

What to expect at your audition:

You will be required to:

Play one or two of the 12 major scales
Sight-read music in different styles

In addition, you may also (but are NOT required to):

Prepare a piece of your choice to play
Improvise

Drummers will be required to:

Play Swing and Latin styles at varied tempos (if possible)
Sight-read

Tuition for participation in a Seattle JazzED Ensemble is $800 for a 25-week program beginning in October. Installment plans are available for participating students.

Seattle JazzED was founded on the belief that superior jazz education opportunities should be accessible to all students, regardless of their ability to pay. Accordingly, we will provide reduced fees and scholarships to qualifying students. Please contact us by phone at 206-324-JAZZ or by email to find out more.

Click here to apply for a scholarship »

Clarence Acox Director, Advanced Ensemble An outstanding educator for over 30 years, Clarence Acox directs the award-winning Garfield High School Jazz Ensemble, which has placed among the top three bands in the Essentially Ellington competition at Jazz at Lincoln Center in 3 of the last 9 years. A native of New Orleans, he graduated from Southern University. In 2002 he received the national Educator of the Year Award from Downbeat magazine, and has been voted Earshot Jazz Musician of the Year. "My kids often come back and tell me how much playing in the band changed their lives. Playing music — especially jazz — can do that to you. I’ve dreamed of making that experience available to every kid who wants it."
Ray Baldwin Director, Introductory Ensemble Ray proudly gave the Seattle School District over 28 years of service as a band director at the middle and high school level. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Washington, as well a Masters of Education Degree from City University. Ray plays professional trumpet in small dance bands, jazz orchestras, and musicals. He has recorded with various artists here in the Pacific Northwest. His many years of study and application have made Ray an educator that is sensitive to the needs of young people who are just starting to trust their instincts and are looking forward to learning about jazz. "Helping students to be successful in music at an early age is very important to me. It builds character, stimulates creativity and teaches them not to be afraid to take chances."
Wayne Horvitz Director, New Works Ensemble Composer, pianist, and keyboardist, Wayne Horvitz performs extensively throughout Europe, Japan, and North America. He is the leader of Sweeter Than the Day, Zony Mash, The 4 Plus 1 Ensemble, the Gravitas Quartet and co-founder of the New York Composer Orchestra. A prolific composer, he has been commissioned by the Seattle Chamber Players, the Icicle Creek Trio, Kronos, BAM, Meet The Composer BAM and others. He has produced CDs for Eddie Palmieri, Fontella Bass, Robin Holcomb and Bill Frisell among others. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2008 NEA American Masterpieces Award the 2003 Rockefeller Map Grant. He currently teaches composition and electronic music at the Cornish College of the Arts and is director of the Jazz Band at the University of Puget Sound. "The JazzEd New Works Ensemble tries to fill in the cracks with classic jazz from lesser known composers, famous jazz artists who do not get presented in big bands, band leaders and arrangers who tend to be relegated to the fringes, and modern composers. Eventually I would like to have an ensemble that fuses the best of classical and jazz ensemble traditions with an emphasis on improvisation and even the creation of new works by living composers, especially students."
Robert Knatt Director, Beginning Ensemble, Intermediate Ensemble, and Advanced Ensemble A recipient of the Washington State Golden Apple Award, Robert Knatt has been an educator for over 35 years, most recently at Washington Middle School, where he directed the award-winning middle school jazz ensembles and concert bands. A native of New Iberia, LA, he graduated from Grambling State University. He has inspired thousands of students and helped them develop the discipline to perform jazz at the highest levels. "A lot of people are surprised when they hear for themselves just how good a middle school or high school jazz band can be. But I know for a fact that when you raise the bar high, kids rise up and play at that level. My job is to set that bar."