My daughter said all the teachers are amazing, super supportive of students learning jazz for the first time.
~ Jazz Camp parent

High School Instrumentalists

  • Concurrent enrollment in school music program required
  • Audition required, in-person or online
Instrumentation: trumpet, trombone,
saxophone, piano, guitar,
bass, drums, vibes

Miles Ahead Big Band: Ten Wednesday evenings from 7:00 – 9:30pm at the College of San Mateo

Miles Ahead Lab Band: Ten Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Mills High School

Miles Ahead Combo: Ten Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at the College of San Mateo

To sign up for an audition, register using your existing SJW account or create one if you’re new to SJW. We’ll contact you to schedule an audition.

Program Focus

  • Weekly big band rehearsals
  • Jazz performance and repertoire
  • Performance opportunities
  • Showcase performance in Dinkelspiel Auditorium at Stanford University

Miles Ahead Big Band, Miles Ahead Lab Band, and Miles Ahead Combo

Directed by award-winning jazz educator Mike Galisatus, the Miles Ahead Big Band features many of the top high school jazz musicians in the Bay Area. Earlier this year, the Miles Ahead Big Band received national attention by placing in the top three bands in the High School Conglomerate Big Band Division at the prestigious Next Generation Jazz Festival. The band also performs each semester in joint concerts with other jazz bands in the community.

New this year, the Miles Ahead Lab Band is a big band designed for high school musicians wishing to improve their instrumental skills, improvisation, sight-reading, and jazz ensemble performance abilities. Directed by Dave Gregoric — one of SJW’s most beloved and experienced jazz educators — the band will meet weekly to work on great jazz repertoire. The band will have at least one performance per semester.

The Miles Ahead Combo was invited to perform at a number of festivals and venues last year around the Bay Area. This year, the invitations are already pouring in! Directed by master saxophonist Raffi Garabedian, the Miles Ahead Combo works on classic jazz repertoire to develop a great band sound and to master improvising over a variety of chord progressions. Raffi also works with the band members on composition and arranging.

When you audition for the Miles Ahead program, you may specify your preference of ensemble. While we will do our best to honor your preference, we may offer you a space in one of the other bands, depending on the pool of auditionees.

Miles Ahead Big Band, directed by Mike Galisatus
meets Wednesday evenings, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
College of San Mateo, San Mateo

Miles Ahead Lab Band, directed by Dave Gregoric
meets Tuesday evenings, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Mills High School in Burlingame

Miles Ahead Combo, directed by Raffi Garabedian,
meets Wednesday evenings, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
College of San Mateo, San Mateo

Faculty

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Giant Steps Big Band