<p>NO is a no brainer. Any current students out there that play jazz, and what are the opportunities on campus for combos, big band and lessons?</p>
<p>I can try to answer this. </p>
<p>I played saxophone during my teenage years, but didn’t continue at Tulane. I do, however, love jazz, and the “jazz culture” was one of the reasons I came to New Orleans. I know for a fact we having a marching band, and I’m sure you can start your own groups on campus, as some other students have with varying success. Lessons are available, but are expensive (about $50 a lesson for string instruments), and frankly, I wouldn’t recommend paying that. Instead, sign up for a graded credit class and tackle it with your personal motivation.</p>
<p>There are two people I know you can talk to about what is going on currently regarding this topic. The first is Leland Bennett, who is the director of the LBC. He is also a very good musician and used to direct a jazz-rock group that performed two big shows every year and also toured high schools and some colleges. It was a ton of work and the group disbanded sometime in the 90’s after decades together. I mean it was all students except for Leland directing, so there was constant turnover. But the entity existed for many years. I suspect it died for lack of a director. Kind of a shame, but my point is Leland knows a lot about what is going on, I would think. His contact info is:</p>
<p>Leland Bennett
<a href=“mailto:lbennet2@tulane.edu”>lbennet2@tulane.edu</a>
Director
Suite 218, LBC
(504) 314-2196</p>
<p>The other is Jesse McBride. Jesse is a young jazz musician who teaches at Tulane in an instructor/tutor capacity. Take a look at this article to get an idea of some of the activity that goes on, and Jesse’s group is 3rd from the bottom, I think. [Jazz</a> at the Rat](<a href=“http://college.tulane.edu/jazzrat.html]Jazz”>http://college.tulane.edu/jazzrat.html) You can contact him at <a href=“mailto:jmcbride@tulane.edu”>jmcbride@tulane.edu</a>, and you can take a look at his web site also [Welcome</a> to JesseMcBride.com](<a href=“http://www.jessemcbride.com/]Welcome”>http://www.jessemcbride.com/) It isn’t very up-to-date, but it gives you some idea what he is about. He’s a great guy, and I would imagine he also would know a lot of what is going on. Reach out to these people , it is the best way to find out what’s happening.</p>
<p>davidfromnyc:</p>
<p>My D is in the Big Band and the Symphonic Orchestra. (She could have also been in the Concert Band, but thought she would be too busy to do all three.) The Big Band (and small jazz ensembles) are led by Prof. John Doheny, and the Symphonic Orchestra and Concert Band are led by Prof. Maxim Samarov <a href=“mailto:msamarov@tulane.edu”>msamarov@tulane.edu</a>. You definitely don’t have to be a music major to participate. There are auditions the first week of the school year. Each group has a weekly practice meeting and a weekly sectional meeting on a different day. These meetings are on the weekends or evenings, so there is little interference with classes. Each of them count as 1.0 credits (per semester) and these credits can be applied (at least in part) to the liberal arts requirements.</p>
<p>The Big Band and the Symphonic Orchestra have Facebook pages and some performances have been posted.</p>
<p>The big performance opportunity for the Big Band has been at the New Orleans JazzFest which is held each spring (usually just prior to final exams). JazzFest is a huge event with top notch groups and soloists.</p>
<p>Tulane is really trying to encourage these music performance groups, and these programs appear to be on the rise. Also, there were a lot of free concerts on campus last semester with really great local and national musicians.</p>
<p>I won’t go into the New Orleans music scene since its merits are so obvious and exceptional. I’ve heard that Loyola (whose campus is adjacent to Tulane’s) and University of New Orleans (across town) both have excellent music programs.</p>
<p>Hope that you consider bringing your musical talents to Tulane. PM message me if you’d like more information.</p>
<p>davidfromnyc:</p>
<p>My D is in the Big Band and the Symphonic Orchestra. (She could have also been in the Concert Band, but thought she would be too busy to do all three.) The Big Band (and small jazz ensembles) are led by Prof. John Doheny, and the Symphonic Orchestra and Concert Band are led by Prof. Maxim Samarov <a href=“mailto:msamarov@tulane.edu”>msamarov@tulane.edu</a>. You definitely don’t have to be a music major to participate. There are auditions the first week of the school year. Each group has a weekly practice meeting and a weekly sectional meeting on a different day. These meetings are on the weekends or evenings, so there is little interference with classes. Each of them count as 1.0 credits (per semester) and these credits can be applied (at least in part) to the liberal arts requirements.</p>
<p>The Big Band and the Symphonic Orchestra have Facebook pages and some performances have been posted.</p>
<p>The big performance opportunity for the Big Band has been at the New Orleans JazzFest which is held each spring (usually just prior to final exams). JazzFest is a huge event with top notch groups and soloists.</p>
<p>Tulane is really trying to encourage these music performance groups, and these programs appear to be on the rise. Also, there were a lot of free concerts on campus last semester with really great local and national musicians.</p>
<p>I won’t go into the New Orleans music scene since its merits are so obvious and exceptional. I’ve heard that Loyola (whose campus is adjacent to Tulane’s) and University of New Orleans (across town) both have excellent music programs.</p>
<p>Hope that you consider bringing your musical talents to Tulane. Private message me if you’d like more information.</p>
<p>Even if you are not happy with the music program at Tulane you can still jump on the trolly and be submerged in live Jazz within minutes. We got some real cool catz down here that’ll hook you up with some jazz skills better than a music class and its free. Just find you a good session house and get in there. But still check out everyone else’s tips here. </p>
<p>Peace and Bignet Grease…
Bringing the community together NOLA style.
[NOLASHOPS</a> - NOLA Shops Free online classifieds for the Greater New Orleans area.](<a href=“http://www.nolashops.com%5DNOLASHOPS”>http://www.nolashops.com)</p>
<p>There are private lessons and combos available even to non music majors. One must audition for the combos and will get course credit for playing.</p>
<p>My D is interested in jazz at Tulane too, but is also wondering if (hoping) there’s a culture of students forming bands, spontaneous jamming, etc. She plays sax and sings with the big band and combos in H.S., but also plays piano, guitar, some accordion. She’d love to be with others who want to mix up jazz and popular music – and just have fun in addition to the “official” bands and ensembles at the school. It’s tempting to assume that happens at Tulane because it’s in New Orleans, but does it?</p>
<p>S2 is a jazz drummer and plays regularly without being in the formal music program. One needs to network a little for the impromptu jamming, but it happens. He has been invited to sit in with very well known local & national musicians when they practice. One needs not to be shy and be willing to talk about one’s music.</p>