City Lit Big Band
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- Course Code: ME637B
- Dates: 18/01/25 - 05/04/25
- Time: 15:30 - 17:30
- Taught: Sat, Daytime
- Duration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Simon Henry
Course Code: ME637B
Choose a start date
Duration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
You will learn to play complex arrangements that include technically challenging parts. Rehearsals will focus on section and ensemble playing, and interpretation, and there will be occasional performances.
What will we cover?
- Suitable arrangements for Big Band from all sources
- Attention to improving ensemble playing
- Taking solos within the body of an arrangement
- preparing and organising for performance.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand how an ensemble of this size operates and rehearses
- Improve and maintain your sight-reading and ability to rehearse effectively
- Take part in performances
- Learn typical Big Band repertoire
- Take short solos where arrangements present opportunities.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You should have a minimum of 10 years' playing experience including ensemble or small group playing, and an ability to sight read. Jazz education will be of advantage.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Sessions comprise band rehearsals, and include playing warm-ups, section rehearsal, sight-reading, improvising, working on specific parts of arrangements, and then complete play-throughs.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring your own instrument; piano, drum kit, amplifiers and music stands are supplied.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may continue in City Lit Big Band for as many terms as you wish as long as there is a place for your instrument.
Simon played piano, recorder and clarinet at school. While training as an architect, he started teaching himself alto sax and played in rock and punk bands and on demos. With friends, Simon formed studio band Haysi Fantayzee, started an 8-piece band that gigged on the university circuit, and joined Jamie Wednesday, which recorded and regularly gigged around the country. When Jamie Wednesday folded, Simon focused on performing as a saxophonist, especially with the Tony Douglas Big Band, and also studied conducting, harmony and flute. He became director of the Music Works Big Band in Brixton, which evolved into The BAC Big Band, and co-ran a weekly jam session in Great Portland Street that attracted many rising players on the London jazz scene. His house band, Raising Standards, evolved into Volume One, a septet performing original compositions. After a PGCE at Goldsmiths, Simon taught at Battersea Technical College, Ilford County High School and Hackney Free and Parochial School, and became tutor for City Lit Big Bands, which he has directed since 1996. He has also taught woodwind at Morpeth Secondary School, Highbury Fields School, and City & Islington College.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
