Ensembles

CIM Jazz Lab is designed for classical musicians of all levels to develop performance skills and foundational knowledge of repertoire and style within the jazz genre. Individual students' instrumental and vocal abilities will be advanced with a focus on scale and chord study, quality sound and tone production, technique development, quality diction and dynamic control.Core aspects of quality rhythm, clarity in sound, and tone production will be a weekly focus. Recording our class with any device will be encouraged. Weekly development is expected through both individual practice and coached sectionals. 
 

Repertoire shall consist of student-based selections from an array of master jazz artists such as Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra and others. Original compositions and arrangements are encouraged. A performance will take place each semester as well as local off campus events.

Duo Piano and Piano Duet Seminar a chamber music course focused on the collaborative performance
of piano duo (two pianos) and piano duet (four hands) repertoire. Through guided coaching,
performance seminar participation, and repertoire study, students develop ensemble coordination,
interpretive collaboration, and stylistic awareness across a diverse body of original works written for
these mediums. The course situates duo piano and piano duet literature within its historical and social
contexts while cultivating professional rehearsal and performance practices. The semester concludes
with a public performance.

The art of learning collaboration between two soloists. Enrollment open to all strings, woodwinds and pianists.

Focuses on music since 1980 although earlier, important works of contemporary music are occasionally programmed.

A minimum of ten hours of coaching and a public performance is required.

A minimum of ten hours of coaching and a public performance is required.

Pop Ensemble is a collaborative performance course focused on developing the skills required to perform contemporary groove-based and commercial music using lead sheets, chord charts, and shared listening practices rather than fixed arrangements. Open to instrumentalists and vocalists, students explore a range of styles drawn from popular music traditions as well as related genres, including elements of jazz and global popular styles (e.g., Brazilian and Latininfluenced repertoire), with particular attention to harmonic notation practices across these traditions.
 

Students build fluency in groove-based playing, improvisation, stylistic interpretation, and ensemble communication across varied instrumentations. Instruction includes coached rehearsals, workshops, community performances, and a culminating concert.

Students in the Global Music Experience will form small ensembles which will be guided in the exploration and performance of non-Western classical music styles and cultures. Students will gain confidence in learning and performing by ear and develop as improvisers in non-Western classical styles. The course will culminate in a public performance.

The art of learning collaboration between two soloists. Enrollment open to all strings, woodwinds, and pianists.

Focuses on music since 1980 although earlier, important works of contemporary music are occasionally programmed.

A minimum of ten hours of coaching and a public performance is required.