The basic purpose of the Jazz Studies Area is to provide the opportunity for students to participate in quality jazz organizations such as jazz ensembles, jazz combos, rehearsal big bands, specialized jazz combos, and large lab bands.
Independent studies are also on a variety of jazz topics.
By participating in the performing jazz ensembles, the student who aspires to become a professional player will perform in a professional atmosphere with many of the same professional responsibilities. Likewise, the student who has aspirations of becoming a music educator will have the opportunity to work with Mr. Robert Baca and Mr. Ronald Keezer who have extensive backgrounds as performers, but whose teaching strategies can be of assistance to the future music educator. Although the top jazz ensembles will be performance-oriented, certain performance quality expectations will be made of all jazz ensembles. It is through the medium of performance quality that students can learn to judge musical value and eventually apply what they have learned. Students tend to teach what the are taught and demand of their students what was demanded of them.