Manchester Community Music School
NH Jazz Orchestra and Youth Jazz Ensemble
The NH Jazz Orchestra’s mission is to engage rising talented musicians as well as the broader adult community in the excitement and performance of Big Band music. Helping to hone and craft this group for audiences to appreciate will be its Music Director, Clayton “Skip” Poole and his son, assistant director CJ Poole. In an effort to give back to aspiring musicians, Clayton brings more than forty years of professional big band performing experience to the ensemble, having worked with such luminaries as Mel Torme, Cab Calloway, Rosemary Clooney, Andy Williams, Maynard Ferguson and Johnny Mathis to name only a few. In addition, CJ adds the component of a younger perspective, with his talents as a bassist and acclaimed vocal ability which was encouraged by the late great jazz guitarist “Bucky” Pizzarelli.
*New* New Hampshire Youth Jazz Ensemble with CJ Poole
This ensemble provides intermediate to advanced level musicians a guided approach to jazz playing. Repertoire is directed in a comprehensive fashion and is heavily balanced between interpretation and improvisation of the genre while playing in a controlled “jam session” environment. The Jazz Ensemble provides a unique opportunity for strong musicians who haven’t had a lot of exposure to jazz playing to gain confidence in their jazz ensemble techniques and refine their individual musicianship.
Mondays 7:00 – 8:30pm, Sept 26 – June 5 Tuition $475
Register Now!
Auditions Tuesday, September 19
- Auditions are September 19 7-9:00 p.m.
- Students can go directly to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f48adae2fa1f58-nhjazz1 to sign up.
Audition Requirements:
Please come to your audition prepared to:
- Perform two pieces, approximately 2 minutes in duration. One piece should be a ballad and the other a piece of medium tempo.
- Play concert scales Bb, C, Eb, and D
- Sight read a piece chosen by the director
Sign up for 
