Instrumental
Learn to play Jazz and recreate with the sounds of the Big band, through instrumental music at Butler Community College. The jazz band performs in a variety of settings ranging from departmental concerts to sporting events. Development of musicianship and concepts of ensemble playing and decorum are the highest priorities regardless of the musical style or type of performance. In addition to the concert band, Butler has several ensembles which emphasize stylistic concepts in all facets of jazz and popular commercial studies.
The Instrumental Music department at Butler functions in three major areas: traditional band, piano studies and jazz studies. The program is designed to provide both music majors and non-majors with ample opportunity to develop musical skills.
PERFORMING GROUPS
Membership in the BCC Concert Band is conditioned primarily on instrumentation needs. Therefore, effort is made to recruit as many interested players as possible while maintaining a balanced ensemble. In addition, all musicians must meet certain proficiency requirements set forth by the director. The band performs in a variety of settings ranging from departmental concerts to sporting events.
The BCC Big Band is a 17-19 piece jazz ensemble selected by audition. Emphasis is placed upon learning stylistic concepts in all facets of the jazz idiom and upon development of improvisational skills. The ensemble also devotes time to the study of recordings and live performances by professionals.
The Jazz and Commercial Styles Workshop band is a select nine to 10 piece ensemble. BCC has an exceptionally large library of arrangements for this instrumentation. This band performs in the jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues styles, often with a featured lead singer and background vocalists. Students are continually urged to develop professionalism in their attitudes and to conform to the highest musical standards.
The formation of instrumental combos is encouraged. These groups play a variety of music from jazz to popular commercial styles.
More information on Piano and Keyboard Courses is available.
Scholarships: The program of financial aid and awards at BCC includes scholarships, grants, loans and the work-study program. Numerous Instrumental Music Activity scholarships are available. Students need not major in music to qualify for an activity scholarship. Generally, this scholarship covers the cost of books and tuition equivalent to that paid by Kansas residents. Scholarships are awarded based on auditions held from January to the beginning of the school year. Students interested in an Instrumental Scholarship should contact the Instrumental Music director at (316) 322-3117 or dial 733-3117 from the Wichita metro/area.
