Neighborhood Music School Ensemble Program
The Neighborhood Music School Ensemble Program provides a collaborative, performance-based learning environment for students looking to advance and accelerate their training by playing together. Each group is coached weekly by an experienced Neighborhood Music School teaching artist. Ensembles perform extensively in the community including at special events for NMS (Annual Gala, Open House), partners in education (USC, Idyllwild Arts), corporate sponsors (Bank of America), nonprofit partners (Venice Family Clinic, Bach in the Subways) and upon request.
All ensembles are tuition-free with registration.
All ensembles require an audition prior to joining.
Jazz Ensemble - Currently OPEN FOR AUDITIONS
Ages 13+ | Intermediate Proficiency Required
Instructors: Masatoshi Sato & Eric Johnson
Saturdays 1:00-2:30 PM
Join fellow musicians and discover the excitement of playing jazz in a real ensemble! Students will rehearse and perform several jazz standards, blues, swing, funk, bepop, bossanova, and other jazz-inspired styles while developing strong ensemble skills, musical communication, improvisational techniques, and confidence.
Through engaging rehearsals, students will improve their music literacy, listening skills, rhythmic accuracy, swing feel, phrasing, and explore the fundamentals of jazz improvisation. Along the way, they will also explore scales, modes, and the music theory that brings jazz performances to life.
No prior improvisation experience is required but encouraged. Most instruments are welcome to audition, and special accommodations can be made with the instructor’s approval. If interested, please reach out to Matthew@neighborhoodmusic.org .
Audition for Jazz Ensemble
Thank you for your interest in joining the Neighborhood Music School Jazz Ensemble! Auditions are designed to help the instructors learn about your current musical skills, experience, and goals. This is not meant to be intimidating—we're looking for students who are excited to learn, collaborate, and grow as musicians.
Performance Audition
Please be prepared to perform and record the following:
Scales: In any key signature, play through a major scale and minor scale while demonstrating good tone, technique, and fluency.
Etude or Solo Piece: Perform a short etude or prepared piece that best represents your current playing ability.
Improvisation Piece: Perform an improvised solo over any blues form backing track.
Interview Questions
Answer the following 4 prompts.
Have you previously performed in a band, jazz ensemble, orchestra, or other music ensemble? If so, tell us about your experience.
How long have you been playing your instrument?
What interests you most about joining the Jazz Ensemble?
What musical skills or experiences are you hoping to develop through this ensemble?
Send the answer to your prompts and your performance video to:
We look forward to hearing you play and welcoming a group of enthusiastic musicians who are ready to learn, perform, and enjoy making music together!
Latin Ensemble
Latin Ensemble meets on Mondays at NMS. Led by Teacher Matthew, Eric, and Sergio students learn Latin jazz standards and new music, along with improvisation and jamming.
string ensemble
String Ensemble is led by Teacher Jennifer & Teacher Frank at NMS. Students who play violin, viola, cello, and double bass are welcome to audition for this group.
coro
Coro meets on Saturday mornings from 10:00 - 10:45 am at NMS. Led by Teacher Albert, this ensemble is for anyone who just likes to sing with no previous experience is needed to join.
community band
Community Band meets on Saturday mornings from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm in Hermon Park. This any-age, any-experience, any-instrument ensemble is led by Teacher Logan and performs regularly in the park and at other locations.