This presentation will introduce Essentially Ellington (EE) staff to high school directors. Staff will share how EE can help their programs. It’s free and open to everyone. Directors are strongly encouraged to attend.
Duke Ellington’s music is at the very heart of America’s 20th-century musical heritage and the core of the rich canon of jazz music. Jazz at Lincoln Center, committed to instilling a broader understanding of this music, created the Essentially Ellington program to make Ellington’s music accessible to as many high school musicians as possible and to support the development of their schools’ music programs.
EE is unique among educational resources for high school jazz bands. Each year Jazz at Lincoln Center transcribes, publishes, and distributes Duke Ellington Orchestra charts, along with recordings and additional educational materials, to high school bands in the U.S., Canada, and American schools abroad. These charts are original transcriptions of recordings by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, not simplified arrangements.
In 2008, Jazz at Lincoln Center began including non-Ellington repertoire. While the music of Duke Ellington will always be central to EE, the program now explores other important big band arrangers and composers as well—one each year. Featured artists have included Benny Carter, Mary Lou Williams, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie.
Throughout the school year, EE provides ongoing support to students and teachers participating in the program. Jazz professionals develop mentoring relationships with students through email correspondence, various conference presentations, and the season-ending festival weekend. Band directors receive quarterly newsletters and have access to online teaching guides and rehearsal videos that correspond directly to the current year’s charts and offer practical ideas for the high school band room.
