John Propper Chosen to Conduct State Jazz Ensemble
Ranney All-School Band Director, Mr. John Propper has been chosen to conduct the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education Region II Junior High School Jazz Ensemble. This is the second honor ensemble that Mr. Propper has been invited to conduct this school year. This band will consist of students in grades 7 through 9 who will audition for their respective spots. NJAJE Region II consists of students from Hunterdon, Monmouth, Mercer, Somerset, Middlesex, and Union Counties.
Students will audition for this ensemble on Monday, March 11th at Rahway High School. The students will play a prepared piece, various scales, and a sight reading example for a panel of judges. The accepted students will make up the 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, 1 guitar, 1 bass, 1 drum set, and 1 piano that make up the traditional jazz ensemble.
Mr. Propper will be selecting music that covers the gamut of jazz literature including jazz standards, Rock music, Latin music, swing pieces, and ballads. The performance will take place at Rahway High School on Sunday, April 7th at 3 pm.
"I'm very excited and honored to select music, rehearse the ensemble, and conduct the group at the concert,” said Mr. Propper. “Working with highly motivated students that have also been selected to be this high-level group is exciting.”
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