Just Another Chapel Band
Just Another Chapel Band is a chapel band for Northwest Nazarene University directed by Larry Nielsen, the director of Treasure Valley Voices. This page is provided on this website so that prospective members for the University chapel band can get more information.
This guide will hopefully give you all the information you need to know about participation in Just Another Chapel Band. If you still have questions after looking through this, please contact Larry Nielsen -
Before You Can Really Do Anything
The first thing you need to do is fill out the JACB Participation Survey available on the Angel community group. It will be available to you once you have been added to the group. Once you have filled out this survey (which covers items like what instrument do you play, what part do you sing, do you have scheduling conflicts) then you will be given access to the music and demo MP3s. The survey shouldn't take more than a couple minutes to fill out. By the way, the Angel group is the only way that everything you need to know is communicated. There are just too many of us to send texts or emails, though you will as a member of JACB occassionally receive an email sent out through Angel to let you know there is new information on the Angel group.
One Week Before a Performance
Usuallly around 7-10 days before we are scheduled to play all music and MP3s will be available on the Content tab. You might have to scroll down a bit. Each participant should download their own copy of the music and print it. Music is distributed as PDFs with embedded fonts, so there shouldn't be any problem. Each person is asked to print their own music and be responsible for it because it gets kind of expensive to do it any other way!
There are also demo MP3s available, sometimes in different versions highlightin different sections like vocals or brass that might be more helpful than the full version. Demo MP3s are not necessarily great listening tracks, they are just meant to help with rhythms, tempos and to get a general feel for the song. Downloading and using them is entirely up to the individual.
Since you've downloaded and printed your music, and maybe downloaded a demo MP3, then please practice your part a bit! We really don't have available time to have rehearsals where individuals are sight reading the music or haven't rehearsed at all. Most of it isn't that tough, but there are those places...
Saturday Before We Play
Unless there are extraordinary circumstances there will be a rehearsal in the Band Room in the Fine Arts building from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This is an optional rehearsal, but if you haven't otherwise had time to look at your charts, it probably would be good to be there! We try to go through the whole set (usually three songs) twice in the two hours, so if you can be there even for just one hour, you'll probably get a look at all the charts. This is also a good time to work with the other people in your section and get comfortable. Be sure to bring your own music you printed!
Sunday Before We Play
Again, unless ther are extraordinary circumstances there will be a rehearsal in the Band Room in the Fine Arts building from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This is NOT an optional rehearsal, except for people who have previously communicated to Larry that they have other obligations such as work or church activities. We really need every possible person at this rehearsal, because it's the only chance we have to rehearse together! The rehearsal will move fast, and it will definitely be over at 9:00 PM. Please be on time, ready to play/sing first note right at 8:00 PM so we have the maximum time to work. Be sure to bring your own music you printed!
Monday We Play in Chapel
Chapel is at 10:10, but we have to get everyone set into position and run a sound check. As much as possible, please try to be on the platform by 9:50 AM at the latest. If you have a class at that time please ask your professor if you might be excused early to go to the sound check. If you know you can't be at sound check, then please send an email to Larry - (early would be nice, like the previous week) so that we can make sure to have a place for you. We normally pull everything off stage we don't need like chairs and music stands, so if you show up late, you might not have either one! We do this to cooperate with the Brandt Center personnel who do a fabulous job for us.
BE SURE TO BRING YOUR OWN MUSIC YOU PRINTED!
Chapel will then start at 10:10. If you need chapel credit there will be time to go back and get scanned in for chapel before you have to be back on the platform.
You will need to remove your instruments, cases, etc. immediately after chapel. If this might make you late for your next class, you'd probably better give your professor notice.
How Often Does JACB Play?
We hopefully get to play three times each semester, but that doesn't always work out. As you can imagine the logistics for this group are a bit of a nightmare, though the Brandt Center people work extremely well with us. Sometimes it's just hard to get a date scheduled because there is so much happening in chapel. In any case, you basically have to commit to probably no more than 3-6 hours each time we play, and some of that time you were going to be in chapel anyway!
Other Questions
Q: What if there is more than one player for a part, or more players than are needed?
A: We'll try to rotate players if that happens. Larry will determine who plays and when usually based on things like schedules, what music is beling played in a particular chapel, etc.
Q: What style of music does JACB play?
A: We usually play a little bit from different styles, but the makeup of the group determines to a great extent what it sounds like. This is essentially a choir (hopefully more like a gospel choir than a classical choir) and orchestra/band, composed of a rhythm section, brass, strings, woodwinds and this year harp! The instrumental style is in support of the vocals, and is not necessarily the meant to be the "out front" part. Instrumental parts are generally at an intermediate level, but from time to time Larry can't stop himself and writes something kind of complex. For the most part, most good players will have little trouble learning their parts and playing them well. We will do some hymns, and some newer and some older choruses. If you need more info on all this, contact Larry.
Q: Do I have to try out for JACB?
A: For the most part, no tryouts are required. Where we have multiple players available for parts (drums and guitar come to mind) it it likely that Larry will want to meet with players and play with them a bit to see where their talents lie. If you are playing with us, and find that you're really struggling, please try to accurately assess your own talent, and perhaps move to vocals, or join us again next year.
Q: Who can play/sing in JACB?
A: Just Another Chapel Band is open to all students, faculty and staff of NNU. We even take Vice Presidents! LOL If you know of a vocalist or instrumentalist who might be interested in JACB have them contact Larry and get signed up. If it turns out it's not their cup of tea, we can just remove them from the Angel group.
