Join us for a special Jazz Pedagogy Workshop with distinguished guest and Jazz Instructor, Mr. Lee Hicks.
Mr. Lee Hicks is in his 22nd year as the Director of Bands at Fontainebleau High School. Since Mr. Hicks’ arrival at Fontainebleau, the FHS Band program has become one of the most well-rounded and successful programs in Louisiana. Mr. Hicks’ high school bands have been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally. The Fontainebleau Jazz Ensemble One, under the direction of Mr. Hicks, has been recognized as one of the top high school jazz big bands in America. Past notable performances include the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL in 2010 and 2019, at the Jazz Education Network International Conference both in New Orleans in 2011 and 2020, the French Quarter Festival in 2015, and the Swing Central Jazz High School Big Band Competition in Savannah, Georgia in 2008, 2010, 2015, and 2016. The band has also performed with or hosted clinics with musicians such as Wycliffe Gordon, Joey DeFrancesco, Ronnie Kole, Roland Guerin, Stanton Moore, Jason Marsalis, Mark Mullins, Bonerama, George Porter, Jr., Matt Lemmler, Dan Caro, and more.
Jazz Pedagogy Workshop Topics Include:
• Getting started with your first jazz band: What you HAVE to have to in order to get it all started.
• LISTENING IS THE KEY!!!!!! Establishing a listening library, where to find recordings, what to listen to, recommended listening.
• Jazz Resources: (e.g., publishers, internet, etc.) Method books, technique books, improvisation books, choosing the right ensemble literature for your group, etc.
• How to structure a typical jazz ensemble rehearsal. Warm-Ups, rehearsal techniques, singing in rehearsal, and more.
• Getting everyone involved: winds, strings, and vocalists
• Developing awareness of the various styles in jazz: Learning to SWING and feeling the groove!
• Basic of working with the rhythm section: piano and guitar comping, locking the drummer and bass player together, making it feel good.
• Getting musicians started with improvisation.