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Ensembles
CSU Jazz Band: The award-winning Columbus State University Jazz Band is the performance cornerstone of the University's Jazz program. Supported by academic course work in Jazz History, Jazz Improvisation and Jazz Composition, the jazz band and combo repertoire ranges from the traditional literature of jazz pioneers such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington to the contemporary writers of today. Guest soloists have included Richard DeRosa and Sam Skelton. The Jazz Band has also hosted guest performances and clinics by the Count Basie Orchestra, the Dan Tepfer Trio, the Shirantha Beddage Quartet and Nathan Eklund. The Jazz Band is open to all Columbus State University students by audition, with priority given to Music majors. Dr. Shirantha Beddage directs.

Jazz Workshops: Jazz Workshops at CSU present students with a wide variety of repertoire in an improvisationally-focused small group setting. Open to audition, these ensembles build on the student's basic knowledge of jazz theory and incorporate harmonic, melodic and rhythmic concepts into repertoire analysis and improvisational study. An emphasis is placed on memorization of repertoire, and transcription/analysis. Jazz Workshops are open to all CSU students by audition. Placement in these ensembles, whether in a performing or non-performing group, will be commensurate with experience level. Dr. Shirantha Beddage and Prof. Amy Griffiths direct.

Pep Band: An extra-curricular, professional ensemble, the Pep Band provides musical accompaniment for the men's and women's basketball games at CSU. Using a variety of repertoire and recordings from popular music, students in the Pep Band learn a variety of songs and arrangements by ear. Instrumentation is similar to a small group jazz ensemble (horns plus rhythm section). Performances typically occur between November and March. Students are paid; a teaching assistantship is also available. Participation in this ensemble is by audition or permission only. Dr. Shirantha Beddage directs.

Media

Videos from the February 1st, 2008 concert and residency with Sam Skelton:

CSU Jazz Workshop performs "Pools" (Don Grolnick, arr. Beddage). Will Reese (alto saxophone), Daniel Kelley (tenor saxophone), Stanley Flanders (baritone saxophone), Shirantha Beddage (piano), David Malkiel (bass), Stephen Shealy (drums), with guest artist Sam Skelton (saxophone).

CSU Jazz Band plays "Brother Hubbard" (Kenny Garrett, arr. Beddage). Featuring soloists Jeremy Pownall (alto saxophone), Koji Mori (trumpet), with guest artist Sam Skelton (tenor saxophone).

Pictures from the Dan Tepfer Trio residency, March 2008:

CSU Jazz Band Rehearsal Schedule, Spring '09

Jan 12: Syllabus, Jody Grind, Chelsea Bridge

Jan 14: String of Pearls, Afro Blue, Moanin'

Jan 20: Run all tunes for Saturday: Jody, Chelsea, String, Afro Blue

Saturday, Jan 25: Performance at 1:40pm in Grand Lobby, with Jazz Band and Workshop. Please be ready to play by 1:20pm if possible.

Jan 27: Moanin, Who Me, Dancing in Circles

Jan 29: Moanin, Who Me, Dancing in Circles

Feb 2: Who Me, Spain, Gumba Blue

Feb 4: Moanin (w/ solos), Spain, Gumba Blue

Feb 9: Gumba Blue, Spain, Fantazm

Feb 11: Dancing in Circles, Moanin'

Feb 16: Fantazm, Jody Grind, Who Me?

Feb 18: Sectional day: Dancing in Circles and Gumba Blue

Feb 23: Reading (Slo-Funk; on ItunesU); Gumba after piano solo, down tempo

Feb 25: Slo-Funk, Dancing 2nd half, Spain

Mar 2: Moanin' (with solos), reading ("What You Wish" on Itunes)

Mar 4: Fantazm, Slo-Funk, reading ("Second Race" on Itunes)

Mar 9-13: Spring Break (no classes)

Mar 16: Run: Dancing (1st half), Gumba, Slo-Funk

Mar 18: Run: Spain, Fantazm, Slo-Funk, Dancing 2nd half

Mar 23: Run: Moanin', Who Me, Jody Grind, Dancing full

Mar 25: Run: Concert program

Mar 27: Performance at Baker Middle School: Leave CSU by 12:30pm (or earlier, if you don't have Masterclass); performance at 1:30pm, return to CSU by 3pm (or thereabouts). Allow 15 minutes travel time. Concert attire: Dark suit and tie. For directions to venue, click here.

Mar 30: Dancing (run), Gumba (after piano solo), Who Me, Slo-Funk

Apr 1: Fantazm, Moanin', Spain, Jody Grind

Apr 3: Mingus pre-concert talk, 6:45pm, Studio Theatre, free. Mingus concert, 7:30pm, BHT. Please see Dr. Beddage in advance for tickets.

Apr 4: CSU Jazz Band concert with Melvin Jones, 1pm, BHT. Soundcheck: 11am. Be in the hall, ready to play, by 10:45am at the latest! Concert attire: Dark suit and tie. Repertoire: Dancing in Circles, Fantazm, Slo-Funk, Who Me, Moanin', Gumba Blue, Spain. Consult the festival schedule page for more details.

Apr 6: Video day: "A Great Day in Harlem"

Apr 8: Jack the Bear, I've Got You Under My Skin, Moanin' (condensed for Prism; memorize!!)

Apr 13: Candidate #1: Second Race, reading

Apr 15: Candidate #2: Who Me, reading

Apr 20: Candidate #3: Jack the Bear, reading

Apr 22: Jack the Bear, Moanin', I've Got You Under My Skin, They Can't Take That Away From Me

Apr 25: Prism concert; dress rehearsal details to follow; we are playing "Moanin'" from memory!!

Apr 27: Night and Day (posted online), American Patrol, String of Pearls

Apr 29: They Can't Take That Away, I've Got You (w/ vocalist), Jack the Bear, Little Brown Jug

May 4: Dress run for Spring Swing: Pennsylvania 6-5000, In The Mood, Little Brown Jug, Who Me, Night and Day, I've Got You

May 8: Spring Swing event, Studio Theatre, 7pm. Soundcheck time: 5:30pm.