Dean Sorenson is a prolific author, composer, and arranger. His method books are used by schools throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Great Britain. If you are a teacher looking for innovative and inspiring materials for students of all levels, you have come to the right place. All of these books are published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company.
First Place for Jazz
First Place for Jazz is Dean's newest publication and is a complete and comprehensive method book for beginning jazz players. Lessons in improvisation, jazz theory, and rhythm section techniques are correlated with music that can be played by everyone from big bands to combos to individual soloists. Charts and exercises are written at the grade 1-2 level, appropriate for middle school or junior high level players. Ideal of group or individual instruction. Go to the First Place for Jazz website to learn more, or view the video included on the homepage.
Standard of Excellence First Jazz Performance
Jazz in the elementary concert band? Why not? This book includes ten grade 1/2 jazz charts that can be played by concert bands or jazz ensembles. This is the perfect way to introduce jazz rhythms and concepts to the elementary band. Click here to learn more.
Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method
The first of its kind - a method book for jazz ensembles in the same mold as method books for concert bands. Correlated with the end of Standard of Excellence, Book 2, this method books walks teachers and students through rock, swing, and Latin styles. Click here to learn more.
Standard of Excellence Advanced Jazz Ensemble Method
How do I teach my students how to play chord changes? This is one of the most common questions when directors are working students who are past the beginning stages and are looking to take the next step. Ideal for high school or advanced middle school jazz ensembles. Click here for more information.
Standard of Excellence Jazz Combo Session
Combo performance is the essence of the jazz experience, and this collection of easy tunes is the perfect way to introduce the combo experience to young players. Unique Kjos Multiple Option Scoring allows any combination of instruments to play -- including strings! Click here for more information.