New Trier High School Jazz Ensemble I
Nic Meyer, Director

Jazz Ensembles Overview (PDF)

New Trier Jazz Curriculum

Jazz Improvisation Classes

Jazz Commissions of new music by the NT Jazz Ensembles

Jazz Ensemble I COURSE DESCRIPTION: This ensemble which meets on class period every day is for the most advanced jazz performers. The ensemble performs "concert oriented" jazz literature, often recorded by college or professional bands, with emphasis on improvisation. This ensemble will perform in various festivals and concerts outside the township, state, or country. Saxophonists are required to also play flute and/or clarinet. Concurrent enrollment is required in a wind ensemble for wind and percussion players, and an orchestra for bass players. Exception: piano and guitar players. A textbook (Advanced Jazz Conception by Jim Snidero) and a metronome are required. Students in this performing group are required to participate in Internet, television and radio broadcasts.

Some of the jazz artists who have performed with the New Trier Jazz Ensemble include... Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, the rhythm section of the Count Basie Orchestra, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Lew Tabacken, Ed Shaugnessy, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Jamie Aebersold, Bobby Shew, and more than 40 others. (For a complete list of past guest artists)  (Guests BIG BAND or groups  that have performed at the New Trier)

New Trier Jazz Ensembles do not participate in competitive jazz events. We believe our graduates are our trophies. However, Jazz Ensemble I has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, two times at the international conventions of the International Association of Jazz Educators, four times at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the National Band Association convention, and several European tours. They have performed twice at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. During the summer of 2000 this ensemble toured Japan and China for two weeks, performing the first jazz concerts ever performed in the three major cities in the Henan Provience, according to Henan officials.

Jazz Ensemble I performed at the 2002 Mid West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, their fourth performance at this conference of more than 1,2000 instrumental music educators from all over the world. To see Jazz Ensemble I's performance at the Mid West International Band and Orchestra Clinic  Recorded: Dec. 19, 2002 Duration: 1 hr. 8 min. (Download and install REALPLAYER to watch New Trier concerts)

New Trier has received numerous awards from Down Beat magazine in its annual Student Musician Awards program. To see a complete list...

Since 1983, the New Trier Jazz Commission Series has inspired the creation of twenty-two significant compositions, many now published for jazz ensembles. Some of the commissions are by such composers as Sammy Nestico, Bob Mintzer, Matt Harris, Les Hooper, Frank Mantooth, Mike Pendowski, Steve Spiegl, Gary Carney, John Fedchock, Jeff Jarvis, Tom Davis, Fred Sturm, and others. To see a complete list...