NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In a city where brass bands are common, a new free program will teach kids big band music: more formal music with a wider array of instruments and styles.
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation says the Saturday afternoon program will give students a chance to learn jazz, swing, and other styles.
Heritage School of Music coordinator Derek Douget will hold auditions for the Jazz and Heritage Big Band at 2 p.m. Saturday. He's looking for 35 intermediate and advanced students between the ages of 10 and 18 who sing or play brass, woodwinds, bass, drums, guitar or piano.
Students should bring a piece they know and be ready to play several major and minor scales, sight-read, tune their instrument and sing a note played on the piano.