Join a top regional high school band and have fun learning how to swing to the beat of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. CSJazz Band is an opportunity for high school age jazz musicians to practice great music with other musicians.    

CSJazz Band is open to ages 14 to 20. The group rehearses from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Sundays. Rehearsals are in the Music Building at Northern Illinois University. The focus of the CSJazz Band is on helping students at all levels develop jazz styles and concepts.

Director Christopher Johnson said his goal is to provide a well-rounded learning experience for all players. This includes performing many pieces from the standard jazz repertoire, learning and practicing the many facets of jazz improvisation, studying jazz historically and culturally, becoming familiar with key figures in the evolution of jazz, and listening to key recordings of those artists. Players learn how to improvise.