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Trombone Ensemble Closeup

HAVERFORD JAZZ

Find the 2026-27 performance schedules here.

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Due to strong interest in jazz at Haverford High School, there are three performing jazz groups: the HHS Jazz Lab Band, the HHS Jazz Ensemble, and the HHS Jazz Combo.

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The HHS Jazz Lab Band

  • directed by Elizabeth Marino

  • rehearses once a week (Thursday 3:30–5:00 p.m.)

  • keeps musicians actively participating in jazz performance and practice

  • is not graded, and does not earn credit

  • performs at school concerts

 

The HHS Jazz Ensemble

  • directed by Michael Fein

  • performs advanced jazz literature

  • emphasizes improvisation in a variety of jazz styles

  • rehearses 2 times per week (Wednesday 2:30–4:30 p.m. and Thursday 7:30–9:30 p.m.)

  • performs at concerts, festivals, and competitions

  • is a graded course

  • earns 0.4 credits over the course of the year

  • requires enrollment in HHS Block 4 Band or Orchestra

 

The HHS Jazz Combo

  • directed by Michael Fein

  • performs jazz tunes in a small-group setting

  • heavily emphasizes improvisation

  • encourages students to compose and arrange for the ensemble

  • rehearses 1 time per week (Wednesday 4:30–5:30 p.m.)

  • performs at concerts

  • is not graded and does not earn credit

 

Selection and group placement for high school jazz performance is determined by audition, held in June for the following year.

 

The HMS Jazz Fords

  • directed by Thomas Kolakowski

  • rehearses once a week (Wednesday 2:45–4:00 p.m.)

  • introduces musicians to jazz styles

  • performs at school concerts

 

The HMS Jazz Ensemble

  • directed by Alex Gittelman

  • rehearses 3 times per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 7:00–7:30 a.m.)

  • performs at concerts and competitions

  • emphasizes improvisation

 

Annual Evening of Jazz
Each year, we celebrate the wonderful jazz program in our schools with the Evening of Jazz. This fun evening of music and a dessert buffet raises funds for the Haverford School District Jazz Ensembles and showcases all of our jazz musicians.

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The Evening of Jazz is also the culmination of the jazz residency program in Haverford. Each year, a professional musician leads workshops for all jazz musicians at the middle and high schools and visits as many elementary schools as time permits. The visiting musician performs with all the groups at the Evening of Jazz and, occasionally, arranges music for these groups.

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Donate to the Haverford Jazz Residency Fund
The residency is funded entirely through contributions. Without your donation, this amazing opportunity would not be possible. Contact us to obtain a jazz residency pledge card, which contains complete details about making a tax-deductible contribution. Donations can also be made using PayPal; please send donations to haverfordjazzresident@gmail.com.

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Haverford Jazz Ensemble Performance Recordings
http://haverfordjazzensemble.weebly.com/recordings.html

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Direct link to the Google Drive folder (Haverford Google login required)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11lyTk1v7myQu11l8ZgdX3PhSxMzYgDxZ

 

For the HHS Jazz Ensemble website, click here.
For Jazz Fords info, visit the director's Canvas page.
For HMS Jazz Ensemble info, visit the director's Canvas page.

 

BOPs Liaison: Cathy Anne Dalena
jazz@hhsmusic.org

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