Two levels of Jazz Ensemble tuition are available at the New School. Jazz Ensemble I is a beginner-intermediate level ensemble designed for instrumental students with little or no previous experience with jazz. Jazz Ensemble II is an intermediate-advanced level ensemble designed for students with previous jazz experience. Jazz Ensemble II performs regularly at the school and at several Dublin-area venues.
Related courses:
Jazz Ensemble I
This ensemble introduces participants to the art of improvisation through the study and performance of blues and jazz. Starting with the basics (scales and chords), students learn how to approach a melody, distinguish its main notes from its less important ones and improvise on those, and how to move from one chord to the next by building up harmonic vocabulary. At least one year of instrumental study and basic music reading ability (Grade I theory or equivalent) are required; no previous experience in jazz is necessary, although it is helpful if participants are familiar with the jazz genre. Students can join this ensemble with little or no previous blues or jazz experience or following on from our Jazz Improvisation Basics and/or Jazz Blues Ensemble Workshop courses. All instruments are welcome.
Students concurrently enrolled for private or group lessons at the New School receive a 50% discount off the fee for this ensemble.
2012-2013 Schedule & Fees
Wednesdays 6.30 – 7.30 pm
Full Year: 3 October 2012 – 19 June 2013
First Term: 3 October – 12 December 2012
Second Term: 9 January – 20 March 2013
Third Term: 10 April – 19 June 2013
Tuition Fee (First Term – 10 weeks)
Ensemble alone: €160
Students also enrolled for private or group lessons: €80
Tuition Fee (Full Year – 32 weeks)
Ensemble alone: €450
Students also enrolled for private or group lessons: €225
Tuition Fee (Second Term – 11 weeks)
Ensemble alone: €175
Students also enrolled for private or group lessons: €88
Tuition Fee (Second & Third Terms – 22 weeks)
Ensemble alone: €327
Students also enrolled for private or group lessons: €164
Tuition Fee (Third Term – 11 weeks)
Ensemble alone: €175
Students also enrolled for private or group lessons: €88
Materials Fee (per term): €25*
*The Jazz Ensembles use a variety of unique materials produced exclusively for them by the Jazz Ensembles Music Director, David Mooney. These materials include downloadable (and printable) pdf files of concert charts, individual instrumental parts and mp3 files for 6-8 pieces per term for Jazz Ensemble I and 8-12 pieces per term for Jazz Ensemble II, as well as scale, arpeggio and improvisation exercises, all of which are available to students on an invitation-only Google Site.
(Payment plan options are also available – see Enrolment & Fees for details.)
Late Enrolment
Students wishing to join this ensemble may do so at any time. Tuition fees for late-enrolling students are pro-rated and depend on the starting week. Go to the appropriate week under Enrolment & Fees for more information.
Jazz Ensemble II
This intermediate-advanced level ensemble gives students with some jazz experience a chance to refine and improve their improvisational and harmonic skills. Participants learn the more advanced jazz and improvisation techniques required to participate in and lead groups themselves, including:
- Modes, progressions and harmonies
- Transcribing and aural skills
- Communication within the group
- Intros and outros
- Phrasing, dynamics, harmonic and melodic soloing, motivic development
- Alternative arrangements and different jazz styles
This ensemble explores a wide-ranging repertoire of well-known and lesser known standards, including more technically or harmonically challenging pieces. It is open to students who have completed Jazz Ensemble I, and to other students by audition. All instruments are welcome.
Students concurrently enrolled for private or group lessons at the New School receive a 50% discount off the fee for this ensemble.
2012-2013 Schedule & Fees
Wednesdays 8 – 9 pm
Full Year: 3 October 2012 – 19 June 2013
First Term: 3 October – 12 December 2012
Second Term: 9 January – 20 March 2013
Third Term: 10 April – 19 June 2013
Tuition Fee (First Term – 10 weeks)
Ensemble alone: €160
Students also enrolled for private or group lessons: €80
Tuition Fee (Full Year – 32 weeks)
Ensemble alone: €450
Students also enrolled for private or group lessons: €225
Tuition Fee (Second Term – 11 weeks)
Ensemble alone: €175
Students also enrolled for private or group lessons: €88
Tuition Fee (Second & Third Terms – 22 weeks)
Ensemble alone: €327
Students also enrolled for private or group lessons: €164
Tuition Fee (Third Term – 11 weeks)
Ensemble alone: €175
Students also enrolled for private or group lessons: €88
Materials Fee (per term): €35*
*The Jazz Ensembles use a variety of unique materials produced exclusively for them by the Jazz Ensembles Music Director, David Mooney. These materials include downloadable (and printable) pdf files of concert charts, individual instrumental parts and mp3 files for 6-8 pieces per term for Jazz Ensemble I and 8-12 pieces per term for Jazz Ensemble II, as well as scale, arpeggio and improvisation exercises, all of which are available to students on an invitation-only Google Site.
(Payment plan options are also available – see Enrolment & Fees for details.)
Late Enrolment
Students wishing to join this ensemble may do so at any time. Tuition fees for late-enrolling students are pro-rated and depend on the starting week. Go to the appropriate week under Enrolment & Fees for more information.
David Mooney, Director
Dave hails from south Dublin, but his musical pursuits have led him far and wide. He holds a BMus degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied with such world-renowned musicians and composers as John Lockwood and Joseph Smith, and also holds a Diploma in Jazz Performance from the Guildhall School of Music in London. Dave has performed and recorded with a vast and varied array of artists, from Sarah Brightman and Jeff Ramsey (Al Jarreau Group) to Sarah Brindell, the Young European Strings and Stambandet (a Scandinavian Folk group). He was one of the founding members of the established New England jazz ensemble 3D4tet, and has recently returned from a successful tour of the Balkans, leading his own jazz quartet. Dave’s performances have included the National Concert Hall, and he was chosen to represent Ireland at the IASJ schools of jazz conference and concert in London. He has worked as a music educator both in the US and Ireland, and has taught at the New School since 2005.
Enrolment
Enrolment for these ensembles requires a completed enrolment form and full payment of tuition fees. (Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a 2012-2013 General Enrolment Form.)
Purchasing one of these courses as a gift? Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
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