JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL GROUPS (Years 5 – 12)

Our Jazz ensembles program offers students a dynamic and creative pathway into the world of jazz.

With four ensembles spanning Year 5 through to Year 12, students can join a group that matches their experience, instrument, and musical interests. Each ensemble provides a unique learning environment where students develop improvisation skills, rhythmic awareness, ensemble playing, and confidence on stage. Alongside traditional jazz styles, our program also includes opportunities for experimental jazz, encouraging students to explore new sounds, collaborate with peers, and express themselves through innovative musical ideas.

Jazz Combo (Years 5 – 8)

The Jazz Combo Band develops fundamental ensemble skills in a jazz context in preparation for the more senior jazz bands.

STUDENTS: Years 5 – 8

REHEARSALS: Thursday Lunchtime (Room C111)

CONDUCTOR: Jarrah Whyte

CONTACT: jarrahw@mentonegrammar.net

Junior Jazz (Years 9 – 12)

This group focuses on building proficiency in the jazz idiom for musicians from Year 9 upwards. It provides an opportunity for students to develop and hone their skills in readiness for Froggers, which is the School’s senior jazz ensemble.

STUDENTS: Years 9 – 12

REHEARSALS: Friday 7.30 – 8.15am (Room C111)

CONDUCTOR: Sally Haworth

CONTACT: sxh@mentonegrammar.net

Froggers (Years 9 – 12)

Froggers is the senior jazz band and is a select entry ensemble for students from Year 9. The group explores many different styles of jazz including bebop, gospel, Latin jazz and swing, just to name a few.

STUDENTS: Years 9 – 12

REHEARSALS: Tuesday & Thursday 7.15 – 8.15am (Room C111)

CONDUCTOR: Natalie Morgenstern

CONTACT: ncm@mentonegrammar.net

Sax Quartet (Years 10 – 12)

This jazz saxophone quartet combines soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones and is sometimes extended to include a fifth member with a bass saxophone.

This is a high-level chamber group that maintains a large repertoire of jazz, classical and Holiday standards. Students are required to audition to be involved in this group.

STUDENTS: Years 10 – 12

REHEARSALS: Wednesday Lunchtime (Room C111)

CONDUCTOR: Sally Haworth

CONTACT: sxh@mentonegrammar.net

Rockets – Experimental Jazz Group (Years 7 – 12)

Rockets is the School’s experimental free jazz ensemble. Here students from Year 7 explore various forms of composition and group improvisation.

STUDENTS: Years 7 – 12

REHEARSALS: Friday 3.30 – 5.00pm (Room C111)

CONDUCTOR: Niran Dasika

CONTACT: nirand@mentonegrammar.net