Jazz Combos
Combo students explore jazz repertoire, improvisation, ensemble technique, musicianship, and history through experiential learning in an inclusive and collaborative environment. Each combo includes musicians with diverse levels of jazz experience, who work together to learn, arrange, and perform a collectively curated jazz repertoire. Combo students learn to:
- Collaborate with other musicians to learn new pieces, explore musical possibilities, and construct related contextual knowledge
- Develop and maintain an effective individual practice
- Recall and apply basic terminology about jazz repertoire,
improvisation, and ensemble playing - Explore and compare various approaches to ensemble playing,
improvisation, and learning repertoire - Incorporate research on artists and recordings into musical choices
and performances
Kate Campbell Strauss, Director
k.campbellstrauss@bowdoin.edu
Course Credit
All ensembles count for one-half (.5) credit per semester and are graded on a Credit/D/Fail basis. Two semesters will count towards the VPA (Visual and Performing Arts) requirement.
Auditions
Students who are interested in joining Jazz Combos should add themselves to the waitlist for their desired section in Workday, and then contact Professor Campbell Strauss to schedule an audition: k.campbellstrauss@bowdoin.edu.
Practices and Performances
Jazz combos rehearse twice per week and perform in a concert at the end of each semester. We sometimes play at functions on campus and occasionally play a concert off campus.
Fall 2026 Course Times:
Section A - WF 10:05-11:30am
Section B - WF 11:40am-1:05pm