ANBOC 2026

Jason will be looking at how to build a Jazz Program in both your school's ensembles and classroom. The session will focus on:
    •    Sequencing of skills & knowledge from primary to high school.
    •    Developing improvisation from beginner to advanced
    •    Stylistic interpretation, phrasing & articulation, and what’s not written on the page
    •    How to develop a rhythm section 
    •    And most importantly - How do you do all of this if you don’t have a background in jazz?

Fundamental in understanding composition is for the conductor to understand the compositional process themselves – to some degree. "Understanding Composition Basics" will address what you, the conductor, need to know so you can then set about passing that knowledge on to your students in rehearsal. What’s more important, the melody or the counter melody? How complex is form or is it just an extended rhythmic structure? What is it about harmony that makes the piece sound like it does and how does the harmony shape the melody and rhythm? What basic skills in composition do you need to assist your students to make music – to be artistically responsive to the composer’s intent. Simple, really...