Tokyo International Music School Community Big Band is a jazz group open to adults and university students who play big band instruments to a good standard. Experience of playing jazz and improvisation is preferable, but not necessary. This group started life as a large combo group in April 2023 and has grown into an extremely popular group.
Rehearsals
Sundays 16:30-18:00 in Sangenjaya
Performances
A performance takes place at the end of each term.
Term Dates 2024 - 2025
Term 1
Sunday 15th September 2024 - Sunday 24th November 2024
Mid-term Break: 20-26th October
Term 2
Sunday 12th January 2025 - Sunday 16th March 2025
Term 3
Sunday 6th April 2025 - Sunday 8th June 2025
Entry Requirements
A good level on your instrument, and the ability to read notated music and jazz charts.
Fees
¥25,000 + consumption tax per term
Click Here to register for the Community Big Band
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Why Join?
Being part of a Big Band provides an experience different from playing individually or in a small combo. The experience of performing in a large group with more arranged parts, whilst still having an opportunity to improvise, is a fun outlet for musicians who enjoy playing jazz.
Aside from the musical benefits (which are the most important), there are many other reasons to join us. We are a friendly community of members from different walks of life, and it is a great way to meet others who share the same interests. We invite members to make suggestions about the repertoire we play, and there will be social events, which members can join throughout the year.
Am I eligible to join the Jazz Orchestra?
We welcome members who play big band instruments to a good standard, who are comfortable with reading music notation and jazz charts. If you are not sure whether you are at the right level for the big band, please email info@tokyoims.jp with an example of a piece you can play fluently - this will help us to work out your current level.
A big band follows this formation, and we accept applications from these instrumentalists.
4 trumpets
4 trombones
2 alto saxophones
2 tenor saxophones
1 baritone saxophone (we have an instrument available for rehearsals)
Piano
Double bass (or bass guitar)
Drum kit
Guitar
Is there an audition?
We ask potential members to send an audio or video recording of a piece they can play confidently, to give an idea of their current level. We will request this once you register for the band.
Am I guaranteed a place in the band?
Some instruments appear in greater numbers than others in a big band. The band has more spots available for saxophones and brass players, so there is a greater likelihood of being accepted if you play one of these instruments. We will offer places to members who participated in the band in the previous term. After that, we will start to offer places to new members.
Where do rehearsals take place?
Rehearsals take place at the British School in Tokyo’s building in Sangenjaya, which is part of the Showa Women’s University campus. Students entering the campus will need to enter via the main gate. The Music Room is on the 3rd floor. Detailed instructions about entering the campus will be provided to students when they are accepted to the group. The address of the campus is Showa Women’s University 5th Bldg. 1-7-57 Taishido, Setagaya-ku
When and where does the band perform?
Each term concludes with a performance. In our first year, performances were held at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center in Yoyogi, and at the Showa Women’s University in Sangenjaya. We also intend to seek out other opportunities to play across Tokyo, as we develop our repertoire. We will finalise our performance calendar for the 2023-24 year before the end of the summer.
Do I need to bring my own instrument?
Members who play an instrument which can be easily transported are expected to bring their own instruments. There will be a piano, drum kit and double bass available for members to use, as well as amplifiers for guitar and bass. We have access to a baritone saxophone, but a member who wishes to use this must bring their own mouthpiece.
What kind of repertoire will we play?
We would like students to become confident performing jazz, funk, latin and contemporary styles, so we hope to offer a varied programme to explore these different areas. We may also collaborate with other groups on some works. Examples of the repertoire performed in our first term are:
A Night In Tunisia (Dizzy Gillespie)
Stolen Moments (Oliver Nelson)
Ugetsu (Cedar Walton)
Walkin’ (Gene Ammons)
Out of the Past (Dizzy Gillespie)
Who will lead the band?
The band will be led by Jacob Knill. Jacob is an accomplished saxophonist, and has worked with jazz musicians over many years. Jacob is particularly skilled at improvisation techniques, helping members to understand different approaches to one of the most challenging aspects of performing jazz repertoire. We may also bring additional guests to work with different sections during the rehearsal process from time to time.
What kind of commitment is required?
Members will get the most benefit from playing in the band if they attend all rehearsals and performances throughout the term, but we understand that working life and other plans can sometimes get in the way of attending rehearsals. If you already have plans in place that will make it impossible to attend some rehearsals, please contact us in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate prior arrangements.
Members are expected to spend time looking over and learning the pieces we are working on in the band. We will make all of the sheet music available from a shared online folder, so members will always have access to this. We will sometimes produce guide tracks to assist in members’ preparation for specific pieces.
Will there be any fees to join the band?
The tuition fee for each term is ¥25,000 (+ consumption tax).
Once you have been offered a place in the band, we will provide you with the bank details to make a transfer. Please let us know if you would prefer to pay in another currency (for example from a US or UK account, as this is sometimes possible). Once payment has been received, we will issue you with a membership card.
Can I sign up for one term, or only for the full year?
Students can register for a single term, two terms, or for the full year. Just make sure you select the appropriate box on the registration form.
