Yes, Little Big Band is a small band. It also is a big band. Confused? If you don't know jazz, you might be.
Big band is a term for the type of band. A big band is a typical setup for a jazz ensemble. The "little" in Little Big Band is used as an adjective. We are little for we are are only high school students. Little we may be, but we make up for it with all-star quality. On a typical day, you might not see a big band just jamming around outside somewhere. This band, however, plays often. In the summer, we spend more time preforming than we do eating.
A big band setup consists of six saxophones, five trombones, and four trumpets. Added with the rhythm section of a drum set, bass, piano vibes, guitar, and the occasional kongo. The point of the rhythm section is to, well, keep the rhythm. All of the instruments work together to create the swing, which are hits on beats 2 and 4.
To get into this band, you need to audition. Luckily, I did not go through the nerve-wracking,
gut-wrenching, mind-boggling chaos of playing by myself in front of other people who were assigned to judge me by everything I do wrong. Auditioning is good experience to have as a musician, but if they didn't want me in the band, without it I would be lacking the musical experience I need to audition for other opportunities. Besides, if you do get into a band that is audition-only, gloating rights forever.
It's absolutely great to be in a band like this. In an environment where everyone takes music seriously, the musicians are able to thrive and grow with their talent as they're being pushed to the max with challenging charts. Plus, it's a great way to have fun when you know the ensemble is always performing at a top-notch level.
Also, the contribution you're making to the ensemble makes it even more worth it! To know that the sound you make supports a band like this- wow! It's unfathomable to know all of the knowledge of music and the entire profession I could gain just from a band like this. I may sound stupid to you right now, but with all of the opportunities that have come so far from this band, my dreams might just come true.
Little Big Band was actually an opportunity within itself for me. I don't even know how I heard about it. One day, my mother and I were discussing extracurricular activities and she suggested a band, so I immediately told her about the Caleb Chapman Music Program. She told me to get more info, and that's exactly what I did. I asked my friend Croce about the band, and he told me the ensemble wanted one more trombone.
Big band is a term for the type of band. A big band is a typical setup for a jazz ensemble. The "little" in Little Big Band is used as an adjective. We are little for we are are only high school students. Little we may be, but we make up for it with all-star quality. On a typical day, you might not see a big band just jamming around outside somewhere. This band, however, plays often. In the summer, we spend more time preforming than we do eating.
A big band setup consists of six saxophones, five trombones, and four trumpets. Added with the rhythm section of a drum set, bass, piano vibes, guitar, and the occasional kongo. The point of the rhythm section is to, well, keep the rhythm. All of the instruments work together to create the swing, which are hits on beats 2 and 4.
To get into this band, you need to audition. Luckily, I did not go through the nerve-wracking,
gut-wrenching, mind-boggling chaos of playing by myself in front of other people who were assigned to judge me by everything I do wrong. Auditioning is good experience to have as a musician, but if they didn't want me in the band, without it I would be lacking the musical experience I need to audition for other opportunities. Besides, if you do get into a band that is audition-only, gloating rights forever.
Stylin', aren't they?
Courtesy of Green Light Booking
It's absolutely great to be in a band like this. In an environment where everyone takes music seriously, the musicians are able to thrive and grow with their talent as they're being pushed to the max with challenging charts. Plus, it's a great way to have fun when you know the ensemble is always performing at a top-notch level.
Also, the contribution you're making to the ensemble makes it even more worth it! To know that the sound you make supports a band like this- wow! It's unfathomable to know all of the knowledge of music and the entire profession I could gain just from a band like this. I may sound stupid to you right now, but with all of the opportunities that have come so far from this band, my dreams might just come true.
Little Big Band was actually an opportunity within itself for me. I don't even know how I heard about it. One day, my mother and I were discussing extracurricular activities and she suggested a band, so I immediately told her about the Caleb Chapman Music Program. She told me to get more info, and that's exactly what I did. I asked my friend Croce about the band, and he told me the ensemble wanted one more trombone.
Courtesy of Caleb Chapman Music (duh)
I knew, no matter what my parents said, that I was going to join that band. How often is it that you find something fits like a puzzle piece? I wanted a place, and they had one open, just for me. Driving an hour away to the SoundHouse every week after school has been completely worth it.
Plus, the band is going on a tour, which includes a nice little fourteen hour bus ride with other high school kids and a stop at DisneyLand. Yay! (I don't know I'm being sarcastic or not yet.)
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