SYSO Jazz Cats and Fiddle Club
Jazz Cats
Purpose and Membership
The SYSO Jazz Cats is a small jazz band created to encourage young musicians to explore jazz. The group features alto saxophones, tenor saxophones, trombones, trumpets, guitar, string and electric bass, and percussion musicians.
All SYSO members who play any of the above instruments are encouraged and welcome to play with the Jazz Cats.
Rehearsal Schedules
The Jazz Cats usually rehearse during SYSO rehearsals from about 7:00 to 8:00. The musicians then join the orchestra in rehearsing orchestral selections from 8:00 until 9:00. The rehearsals are held in the Daniel Hand High School Band Room.
Performances and Community Service
The Jazz Cats perform several times per year at various events. Often, at least one of the performances will be a community service event at a convalescent home.
SYSO Fiddle Club
The Fiddle Club is a special small ensemble for SYSO and Whiz Kids Orchestra members. This special group features violins, but includes a variety of other instruments to accompany and enhance the fiddles, including keyboard, drums, guitar, bass, and other instruments. This group prepares and performs fiddle music from around the world, especially Irish and American fiddle tunes and dances. We include vocal songs and featured instrumental solos for penny (tin) whistle, and flute. The rehearsals include learning new tunes and accompaniments, trying out new arrangements, listening to musical examples, and putting together short performances. Please speak to Mrs. Clemmons if you are interested in participating in our Fiddle Club.
Whiz Kids Jazz Band
The Whiz Kids Orchestra also includes a Jazz Band. Trumpet, saxophone, trombone, drums, and guitar players rehearse during regular Whiz Kids time, and learn a few Jazz tunes to perform at our spring Pops concert. Members of the Jazz Band also rehearse and perform with the Whiz Kids Orchestra. Mr. Clemmons rehearses this group, and teaches various jazz styles of playing, and prepares the younger students for membership in our SYSO Jazz Band.