Mark Harvey conducts the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra through a reading of student Mike Lee's final composition project "Empty Bottles." A video of this workshop/performance and a complete score are among the materials provided on the assignments page. (Image courtesy of Mark Harvey.)
Instructor(s)
Dr. Mark Harvey
MIT Course Number
21M.342
As Taught In
Fall 2008
Level
Undergraduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Highlights
This site features:
- An extensive discography on the listening page, plus several full-length MP3 recordings by the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra and MIT Festival Jazz Orchestra;
- Several video and audio classes on various composition topics, with particular focus on Walter Thompson's Soundpainting technique;
- Two student compositions as completed for the final class assignment, with full scores and videos of performances by the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble and Aardvark Jazz Orchestra.
Course Description
This class explores composition and arrangement for the large jazz ensemble from 1920s foundations to current postmodern practice. Consideration given to a variety of styles and to the interaction of improvisation and composition. Study of works by Basie, Ellington, Evans, Gillespie, Golson, Mingus, Morris, Nelson, Williams, and others. Open rehearsals, workshops, and performances of student compositions by the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble and the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra.