The Penncrest Jazz Program, under the direction of Craig Snyder, focuses on style and improvisation as it explores and presents America’s Unique Art Form.

 

Auditions are held in the fall, and the band rehearses until May. Auditions determine placement in either the Jazz Band or Jazz Lab, and everyone who desires an experience in jazz is accepted into one group or the other. In addition, the program is able in most years to support a combo.

 

Each ensemble rehearses once per week, along with one sectional rehearsal, which is run by a student leader. We are also privileged to have outstanding jazz musicians and educators in our area who give their time and knowledge in order to enhance the program.

 

The band performs at concerts and community events as well as jazz festivals. Performance highlights have included Disney’s Magic Music Days, the Heritage Music Festival in Boston, the North American Music Festival in Washington DC, as well as local and regional high school and collegiate jazz festivals and competitions. Past and current members of the ensemble have performed with the Delaware County All-Star Big Band as well as the PMEA All-State Jazz Band, the Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Orchestra, Jamey Aebersold’s Summer Jazz Workshop, and the Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program.  In 2015, the Penncrest Jazz Band was honored to have been chosen to perform at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association State Conference, where they presented their program, “The Oliver Nelson Songbook.”

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Graduates of the jazz program are invited to join the Reunion Band, our alumni jazz band. This group has become a staple in annual performances at Penncrest as well as Dining Under the Stars in Media, PA, and features many professional and semi-pro musicians as well as music educators.

 

If you are interested in joining the Jazz Program or if you have any questions, please contact Mr. Craig Snyder at csnyder@rtmsd.org