RBHS Jazz Band

Click HERE for weekly listening assignment sheet.

Rock Bridge High School is fortunate to have two outstanding jazz bands and beginning in the fall of ’07, the program will offer two jazz combos that will meet weekly after school. The advanced group, Jazz Ensemble, is under the direction of Steve Mathews. The intermediate group, Jazz Band, is under the direction of Bob Thalhuber. Both bands play finest traditional and contemporary jazz literature. Big Band, Straight Ahead Swing, Bebop, Latin, Fusion, and Rock are all explored and performed.

Both of the jazz bands not only play at home concerts and events but also perform regularly throughout the community. Participation at jazz festivals throughout the state during the winter and spring months is a major activity for the bands. Last year, the groups placed at all of the festivals and the jazz combo took home the top placement in their division at the Truman Festival. At Rock Bridge’s Annual Jazz Night, guest artist Mic Gillette (former lead brass player from Tower Of Power) came out from the West Coast to perform with the CPS Junior High Jazz Bands and Rock Bridge. It was an evening of great music with an renowned professional musician.

In 07-08, MU grad student and former Rock Bridge band member Neil Ostercamp will assist Mr. Mathews in directing two jazz combos that will meet regularly each week after school. Having combos meet on a regular basis will be a much needed addition to the program. In addition to performing at the MU and Truman festivals, the jazz bands and combos will be performing in April at the UMSL Jazz Festival. This is an intense four day festival in St. Louis that will allow our students to not only perform but hear bands from all over the Mid West.