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 Instructor
Matthew Holmes serves as the Faculty for Double Bass (Jazz) at Shepherd University School of the Arts and Media, and is the Band Director at Harpers Ferry Middle School, West Virginia.
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.