IfCM Reading Session 3.3.12

The inaugural Institute for Creative Music Big Band Reading Session was held on Saturday March 3rd, 2012 at the Eastman Community Music School to great success!

Schools from all across Rochester, and students from all levels were represented. In attendance from the Eastman School of Music DMA program we had Nikola Tomic, Eastman alumni Mike Frederick and Erik Jacobs, and current masters and undergraduates from Eastman, Berklee, Roberts Wesleyan University, and Monroe Community College. Students from Pittsford, Penfield, Fairport, School of the Arts, and the Eastman Community Music School rounded out the ensemble.

The session brought together a unique cross section of local players (playing together for the first time) to rehearse and record two original compositions arranged for big band by Nick Finzer. The first was an uptempo swing tune entitled Lit by Lightning, featuring some tough chromatic chord changes drawing from the "modern" jazz vernacular. Great solos were heard from Alistair Duncan, Nikola Tomic, Matthew Sieber-Ford, and Will Zimmer!

After a discussion about section playing, sight reading, and techniques for interpreting a chart the first read-down, Nick led the band through a second original, Forget Yesterday. This piece was conceptually different than Lit By Lightning, with an open 3/4 feel that featured symphonic and orchestral textures.  After the first read-through, Chris and Nick suggested using different timbres to match the character of the piece, and garner great feedback from the lead section players about the importance of  creating points of tension and release in phrasing to maintain the forward momentum of the piece.  involved! On Forget Yesterday, we heard great solo moments from both Mike Frederick and Panni Spears, with great rhythm section support from Mike Conrad, Matt Krol, and Ike Shultz.

Thank you to all of the musicians who stopped by to make the reading session a success!

Trumpets: Nikola Tomic, Oliver Haynes, Nick Grau, Evan Lane,
Trombones: Alistair Duncan, Will Zimmer, Bradley Schumacher, and Erik Jacobs
Reeds: Matthew Sieber-Ford, Panni Spears, Daniel Brown, Megan O’Donnell, Jessica Moss
Rhythm: Mike Conrad (piano), Mike Frederick (guitar), Matt Krol (bass), Ike Shultz (drums)

A special thank you to Lauren McLaughlin, for donating her time and talents to photograph not only the reading session, but also the showcase concert and our workshop at the Harley School!

Overall, the event was a success and positive feedback was coming in all weekend about the reading session! A parent of one of the high school participants said:

“While most teens are obsessed with Saturday nights as date nights, my Diva was totally "Jazzed" to be invited to a Big Band Reading Session. Most of the high schoolers passed, but those who are going will be joined by college and pro musicians and they will learn so much toward their goals as future musicians. Let's hear it for dedication over social status! Who needs a date with someone who won't matter in the long term when you can have a date with your future?”

The Institute for Creative Music is planning more similar style sessions in the future, and would love to see all of this March’s participants back for the next one in addition to plenty of new faces!


Nick Finzer and Chris Teal
Artistic Directors, Institute for Creative Music
http://www.ifcmusic.org