UPDATE: Due to increased risk of COVID transmission due to the Omicron Variant, in-person audience at this even will be limited to 10 persons, first come first served via RSVP at this link.
A quintet of PJCE musicians perform works by graduates of PJCE’s Next Gen Jazz Composers program, formerly known as Grasshoppers. We launched our “Grasshoppers” young jazz composers mentorship program in 2016, with three student composers and their mentors writing for our large jazz ensemble. In 2022, this program has grown to include ten or more students per year writing compositions for jazz quintet under the guidance of a professional mentor. This event is a showcase for some of the most ambitious graduates of our program, who have taken their experiences in the program further by continuing to compose on their own.
Young Jazz Composers: Young Jazz Composers program is a four-month mentorship and performance opportunity for students to learn the ins and outs of composing for a professional jazz ensemble. Through one-on-one private lessons and professional group feedback, students gain valuable insight into the idiosyncrasies of composing. By the end of the program, students will be able to understand the basic skills needed to compose a tune, use digital notation software, and correctly notate parts for rhythm section and horns. Their resulting pieces are performed by PJCE Ensemble members at a concert at The 1905. Each composer receives copies of the professionally recorded performance for their portfolio.
