The Shepherd Community Big Band is a large jazz ensemble designed for intermediate to advanced musicians, grades 8-12, wanting to perform in a high-level jazz big band. The group will meet weekly on Mondays to have full band rehearsals, sectionals and participate in masterclasses given by professional jazz musicians and educators.
Meet Our Instructors
Matthew Holmes is the Adjunct Faculty for Double Bass (Jazz) at Shepherd University School . Matt also serves as one of the Community Big Band directors and a private double bass instructor in the Shepherd Community Music Program.
The Community Big Band is also under the leadership of Tanner Petri. Tanner is the Middle School Band and Jazz Band Director for Wildwood Middle School located in Jefferson County, West Virginia.
How to Prepare:
Please follow the link to the audition sheet music above. Participants in the 2026 Annual Honor Music Festival may bring a tune from the Honor Jazz Ensembles concert for the audition.
To register for an audition, please complete the Audition Registration Form
Audition music may be found at: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bl7ihf4c2n1cwu888bk9x/ACDpt7IGhvrldiKCgvKHWeI?rlkey=plh13vwej8vk4dyl07c8lfh5p&st=57plv6rk&dl=0
Rehearsals are weekly on Mondays beginning September 14, 6:00-7:30 pm. A concert will be Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 2:00 pm.
The cost to participate in the Big Band is $160 per semester. A payment link will be sent upon acceptance after the audition process.
Contact communitymusic@shepherd.edu for more information.