Before Rehearsal: Planning For Your Beginning Jazz Ensemble
Clinic Synopsis:
Delve into the rich world of instrumental jazz—an educational treasure for students. A well-run jazz ensemble cultivates creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking. This session, led by experienced clinicians, guides band directors in programming, rehearsing, and administering jazz programs. Learn about valuable resources for ongoing professional growth as jazz educators, while also bridging the gap for those with limited experience.
George Andrikokus
- Biographical Information
George
Andrikokus is the director of bands and instrumental jazz programs at Hinsdale
Middle School. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Education from
Elmhurst College in 2007, he taught in Addison School District #4 (2007-2013),
in Bensenville School District #2 (2013-2016), and was the director of the
Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage (2012-2015). Under his leadership, George’s
students have had the opportunity to perform at contests and festivals
throughout the Midwest such as the Illinois Music Education Conference (2019
& 2025), The Jazz Education Network Conference, The Greater St. Louis UMSL
Jazz Festival, and the 77th Annual Midwest Clinic in December 2023. In 2013, George received the Quinlan & Fabish Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator
Award and the IGSMA Barbara Buehlman Young Conductor’s Award, and was a
recipient of the 2024 Illinois State Board of Education ‘Those Who Excel
Meritorious Award’. He now serves as the Vice President of the Illinois Grade
School Music Association and has his master's degree in Teacher Leadership from
Elmhurst College (’20). In his
professional career, George is an active clinician, adjudicator, saxophonist
and guest artist in and around Illinois for various district and state honors
ensembles. George has had the opportunity to not only perform and teach in and
around the Midwest, but also in Australia, England, and Malta. George has had
the opportunity to perform with jazz greats Bobby Shew, Jim Widner, Dee Dee
Bridgewater, Gary Smulyan, and many others. He is a member of the National Band
Association, Jazz Education Network, Illinois Music Education Association and
the National Association For Music Education.
Matthew Johnson - Biographical Information
Matthew Johnson is currently enjoying his sixteenth year of teaching and tenth at James Hart Junior High School in Homewood, IL, where he directs the James Hart Symphonic Band and Jazz Bands, instructs general music courses, and assists with the 5th and 6th grade bands. Prior to returning to Illinois, Johnson taught for six years in several communities across northern Ohio, including serving as band director and music department coordinator for the Nordonia Hills City School District (2013-16). During his tenure at James Hart, the jazz program has seen significant growth, both in the number of participating students (resulting in the creation of a second jazz ensemble), and in its performances at regional festivals and events around the community. Ensembles under his direction have performed at Lucas Oil Stadium, Severance Hall, Wentz Concert Hall, and as an opening group for the Brass Tracks Jazz Orchestra and Shout Section Big Band, and have consistently received Superior and Excellent ratings at IGSMA, OMEA, and Bands of America adjudicated events at the district, state, and national levels. Johnson was a 2023 recipient of the Quinlan & Fabish Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award and has presented clinics on a range of topics at the Illinois Music Education Conference, the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Convention, and The Midwest Clinic. He has served as a middle and high school adjudicator for OMEA, IGSMA, and numerous Chicagoland school districts, as well as in several leadership roles for ILMEA and Homewood School District 153. He holds a BME from the University of Illinois and an MA from The Ohio State University.
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