A parent/guardian should email director Brendan Finucane to communicate their child’s interest in joining the ensemble. Prospective members should prepare an audition via video submission (Uploading to Google Drive is an easy way.) Musicians who audition successfully enter the ensemble as Squires. Squires perform “beginning basslines” on all KJSB standards, and are expected to practice melody and harmony parts toward mastery. Once melody and harmony parts are mastered, Squires audition to become Knights. Practice guides, exercises and video tutorials are provided to students to support technical and musical growth, and successful Knights auditions.
Prerequisites
Musicians auditioning for Knights of Jazz String Band must be in 5th – 8th grade, have played violin, viola or cello for at least one year, and must study with a private teacher. The director will work with families to help satisfy the private lesson requirement.
Entrance (Squire) Audition
To audition for the ensemble successfully, students must demonstrate an ability to read and play the beginning bassline and melody for The Saints. Parts are available here. A winning Squires audition features accurate and stead rhythms, correct bowings, and good intonation. In general, Squires sit “second line” in the ensemble.
Knights Audition
Squires may elect to audition via video submission to become Knights. Knights must demonstrate the melody and harmony parts to six standards: The Saints, Jericho, Hava Nagila, Joe Avery Blues, Take The ‘A’ Train, and Take Me Out To The Ballgame. A winning Knights audition features accurate rhythms, correct bowings, and good intonation. Knights are given preference for “front line” seating at gigs, and are featured as soloists.
Home Practice
All musicians in KJSB are expected to come to rehearsals confident with all music, and are expected to practice to ensure this. For Squires, beginning basslines to all KJSB standards should be mastered, and regular practice time should be devoted to learning melody and harmony parts. Knights are expected to play melody, harmony and basslines to all our standards with confidence. Knights should additionally practice scales, arpeggios and advanced melodies for select standards, and experiment with new embellishments for the their solos.
Weekly Rehearsals
In-person rehearsals are Wednesdays from 3:05 – 3:35pm, and Sunday afternoons at Chicago Waldorf School. Wednesdays are “Squires-focused,” and Sundays are “Knights-focused.” Additionally, Wednesdays are best suited for 5th-6th grade musicians, and Sundays for 7th – HS. Consistent attendance at one weekly rehearsal is expected. Upcoming absences should be communicated with as much advance notice as possible, and the students should attend the alternate rehearsal day to make up the absence. Bandmembers should arrive to rehearsals on time — unpack and set up immediately to warm up and be “ready for the count off” at the start of rehearsal. KJSB members should come to rehearsals with instrument and a complete, up-to-date, and neatly organized gig folder.
Dress Rehearsals
A bandmember must must participate in the in-person dress rehearsal prior to participating in any gig.
Gigs
Knights should wear KJSB t-shirts at our gigs. Alternatively, black and white is the best concert attire for a Roaring Twenties hot jazz dance band.
Ribbons
KJSB members earn ribbons each year in recognition of contributions and achievements within the ensemble. The white ribbon signifies Knighthood, and is given to bandmembers who have achieved this status. The light blue ribbon is earned by KJSB members who strive to recruit to the ensemble, and who mentor newer members. The red ribbon designates Knights who have taken a solo in a KJSB gig. The purple ribbon is for leadership, given to KJSB members who are invested in the direction of the ensemble. The gold Exemplar Ribbon is for Knights who have earned the remaining colors.
Student Agreement / Code of Conduct / Director Responsibility
Knights of Jazz String Band is an elite student string ensemble, embodying the musicianship and professionalism of a hot jazz dance band from the Roaring Twenties. All members agree to conduct themselves at rehearsals and gigs in line with this standard. In short: Practiced, Prepared, On Time, and Supportive. Knights who fail to uphold this standard of musicianship and professionalism will be demoted to Squires until they demonstrate a consistent pattern of appropriate participation. Squires who fail to uphold the KJSB Code of Conduct jeopardize their place in the ensemble.
The director is responsible for bandmembers solely in his professional capacity as bandleader. A parent must accompany their child to any KJSB performance. Following rehearsals, students must proceed immediately to the lobby to wait for parent pickup, and may not remain unsupervised in the Chicago Waldorf School building.
Prior to joining for the year, all members of Knights of Jazz String Band must submit a copy of the Student Agreement / Code of Conduct signed by both student and a parent.
Tuition
The per-semester tuition for Knights of Jazz String Band is $300, due at or prior to the first rehearsal of the semester.
