Jazz/Rock Department
Jazz/Rock Department - Core Philosophy
South Shore Conservatory’s Jazz/Rock Department offers the very best in Jazz/ Rock music education including lessons and classes in Latin, funk, blues, and contemporary styles. Our programs and ensembles expose teen through adult students to jazz and rock standards, as well as contemporary charts, and provide a rich history of rock music from which any student can draw. Students experiment with improvisation throughout the range of course offerings. Ensemble playing is a featured part of our curriculum.
Jazz/Rock Department Chair - Ed Sorrentino
Ed Sorrentino received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Berklee College of Music. In addition to being a percussion instructor and Summer Music Festival Program Director at South Shore Conservatory, Ed is a regular performer with New England Percussion Ensemble, a trio of percussionists recognized as one of the most in demand groups for cultural enrichment in the region. He was recently recognized for his innovative work with adults and children with disabilities. Ed is also well known as a topnotch freelance drummer, something that requires him to wear a variety of musical hats and provide solid percussion for many of the area’s jazz, rock, dixie and show bands. Ed is also a certified drum circle facilitator.
Jazz/Rock Department - Class Offerings
Rock Guitar Styles
Mark Campbell
Every influential guitarist has an approach that makes them sound unique. Learn to identify the elements of style that make players like Hendrix, Page and VanHalen stand out. This class is for intermediate to advanced level students who have a working knowledge of open position and barre chord forms as well as pentatonic and blues scales. 12 weeks
$250
| Hingham: Thursday, 4 - 5 pm | Duxbury: Tuesday, 3:30 - 4:30 pm |
Jazz/Rock Honors Ensemble
Sponsored by Thordis and Gary Gulden
Ed Sorrentino
This ensemble represents the Conservatory and the Jazz/Rock Department at festivals and events. Instrumental and voice students are selected by audition. Students receive a 50% discount off the regular ensemble rates. Contact Ed Sorrentino at 781-749-7565, ext. 21 by September 26, 2008 for an audition time. 24 weeks
$250
| Hingham: Tuesday, 7 - 8 pm |
New!! Groove Workshop
Jazz/Rock Faculty
In popular music, the term "groove" is defined as an understanding of rhythmic patterning that underlies the characteristic rhythmic 'feel' of a piece. Designed to give students an opportunity to work with contemporary as well as popular rock, jazz, Latin and funk styles of music, this 12-week ensemble teaches students modern and traditional improvisation techniques, and concludes with a professionally-recorded performance. All rhythm instruments (piano, guitar, bass, drums, world percussion and mallets) including voice are encouraged to join.
$250
| Hingham: Thursday, 7:30 - 8:30 pm |
New!! Jazz for Classical Musicians
Chris Rathbun
Open to ages 14 (or younger with approval) to adult of intermediate to advanced skill levels (Suzuki students beyond Book 3) on ALL instruments including voice. This 12-week class approaches learning to improvise the way one might take a crash course in a foreign language for travelers. Progressive phrases and patterns from the repertoire and recordings will be introduced to help cultivate jazz vocabulary. Practice of how chord progressions work will provide the syntax. Required: 10-12 assigned downloadable recordings for personal use, free software (made available), desire to have fun.
$250
| Hingham: Wednesday, 7:30 - 8:30 pm |
Rock History: Who Put the Bop in the Bop, Shoo, Bop?
Tom Boyer
Take a Memory Lane stroll and enjoy the sounds and sights of the early rock eras. Learn about origins, artists, instruments, and tunes while grooving to those oldies but goodies. Through a guided tour of listening, lecture, and discussion, enjoy the popular music of our culture called Rock in four 5-week sessions or eras.
Hingham: Saturday, 10:45 - 11:45 am
$150/era
1st Era: I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues |
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2nd Era: I'm All Shook Up because I can't Get A Job |
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3rd Era: She Loves You, Mr. Tambourine Man |
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4th Era: Scale The Wall on a Stairway to Heaven |
Adult Jazz/Rock Ensemble
Ed Sorrentino
Contact Ed Sorrentino at 781-749-7565, ext. 21 by September 26 for an audition time.
Hingham
12 weeks
$250
| Tuesdays 7:15 - 8:15 pm |
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for private lessons for children whose families can document financial need. Application forms are available in the office and as a downloadable Word Document and must be filled out and returned prior to the first week of the semester. All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Committee, which meets before each semester to grant assistance. Recipients of scholarship aid must reapply each semester. The deadline for Fall 2008 financial aid applications is August 8, 2008. The deadline for Spring 2009 financial aid applications is January 9, 2009.
South Shore Conservatory admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.




