Making Jazz Easier for Your Students (and Yourself) – with Rob Babel
About this Webinar – From the NPD Webinar Jazz Series –
Whether your jazz ensemble meets daily or once or twice a week – whether you have years of experience or you’re new to teaching jazz – you’ll find lots of tips and ideas in this webinar on jazz ensemble best practices. This discussion includes items from Rob Babel’s recent clinics at a Missouri Music Educators Annual Conference and the 2018 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, where Rob includes audio and video examples to illustrate ways you can plan for success.
About the Clinician –
At the time of recording this webinar, Rob Babel was in his 24th year at Ft. Zumwalt North High School in O’Fallon, MO. His duties include directing the Panther Pride Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Jazz Lab Band. In addition, he assists with beginning and intermediate band at North Middle School. Under his direction the Ft. Zumwalt North Jazz Band has three times presented concerts at The Midwest Clinic, twice at the Jazz Education Network Conference, and four times at the Missouri Music Educators Conference.
Mr. Babel was recognized as the 2016 Missouri Music Educator of the Year and the Charles Emmons Outstanding Band Director Award for Lamda Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. In 2019, he was named the Missouri Association for Jazz Education’s Outstanding Jazz Educator. He has also been recognized as the St. Louis Metro District Eight Music Educator of the Year and the Ft. Zumwalt North High School Teacher of the Year.
In the past 20 years, the FZN Jazz Band has performed with many outstanding professional artists, including Bill Watrous, Bobby Shew, Eric Marienthal, Wayne Bergeron, Steve Houghton, Pat Coil, Denis DiBlasio, Chip Stephens, Jim Widner, Reggie Thomas, Stockton Helbing, Steve Wiest, Chris Vadala, Harry Watters, Matt Wilson, Al Chez, Willie Murillo, and Becky Martin.
He has served as Jazz Vice President for the Missouri Music Educators Association and remains active as a saxophone teacher, clinician and adjudicator and currently resides in the St. Louis area with his wife Tina, and their three children, Alex, Katie, and Chloe.
To gain the most benefit, please follow these suggested steps:
Step One – Download the Note Page
Prepare to either type your notes into the Word.doc or Google Doc and save the changes, or write in your notes by hand into a printed copy.
Step Two – 
As you view the webinar, we encourage you to take notes as you go along. Feel free to stop the recording and rewind as needed.
Step Three – Download the Action Plan Template 
Choose either format; Word Doc or Google Doc. After considering the key points that you wish to implement, describe the point in the ACTION BOX select a date for the initial implementation. Then, select a date that you plan to review and assess the success of the implementation.
Step Four – 
An 80% score or better will result in a Certificate of Completion emailed to the address you provide. Those scoring less than 80% will be allowed to retake the quiz. In order to do so, you’ll need to register in the quiz with an alternate email.
Step Five – Review the Follow-up Links and Materials Below
You are encouraged to review these links for further study related to this topic.
Handout from Rob Babel’s clinic at the 2018 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic
From NPD Webinars:
- Taking the Mystery Out of Interpreting Drum Charts – with Kevin Gianino
- Building a Solid Walking Bass Line – with Willem von Hombrach
- Incorporating Latin Percussion Your Jazz Program – with Matthew Henry
- Jazz Comping for Your Young Guitarist – with Steve Schenkel
- Ken Kehner on Piano Comping
- Developing the Young Jazz Trumpet Player – with Jim Manley and Dustin Shrum
- Developing the Young Jazz Saxophone Player – with Hugh Jones, Joel Vanderheyden, and Mike Karpowicz
- Developing the Young Jazz Trombone Player – with John Fedchock, KHS America Artist
- Beyond the Blues – Insights into Jazz Ensemble Literature, Score/Part Preparation, and the Editing Process – With Mike Parkinson
From The Nottelmann Blog:
Online Jazz Education Resources For Teachers
Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal Tip: What to Listen To?
Quick Rehearsal Tip: Creative Warmups for Jazz Ensembles
Video Tips from Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band: When It Goes Off the Rails
Video Tips from Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band: Listening to the Band
Video Tips from Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band: Mastering Difficult Passages
