Jazz Orchestra

Jazz Orchestra is a year long course of study that is open to any woodwind, brass, percussion, and piano students who are selected by the music faculty. Advanced jazz repertoire is chosen from professional libraries of current and historical composers and arrangers. Performance opportunities and master classes are offered with guest artists several times during the year. Every concert that the Jazz Orchestra performs is recorded.

 

 

 

 

 

The group has five CD recordings to date and is currently completing work on its newest CD "Live at the Art Institute".

 

"3210" "Swinging on Green Dolphin Street" "Soundpiece for Jazz Orchestra"

 

 Successes and Awards

The Stivers School for the Arts Jazz Orchestra has won first place or grand prize awards at every jazz festival entered culiminating in winning the prestigious Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival in 2004 and 2008.  The group has recently performed as part of the Muse Machine production of "The Music of Disney" and in April 2009 appears in the Cityfolk premier "Celebrating Billy Strayhorn" with the Terrell Staford Quintet.  The Stivers Jazz Orchestra has appeared with:

  • Maynard Ferguson
  • Dianne Shuur
  • Roberta Piket
  • David Benoit
  • Terrell Stafford
  • Dick Oatts
  • Steve Wilson
  • Mulgrew Miller
  • Ray Vega
  • John and Jeff Clayton
  • Paul Ferguson
  • Shawn Wallace
  • Oliver Nelson
  • and many times with Derrick Gardner.

Stivers Jazz Orchestra Awards under direction of Claude Lucien Thomas include:

  • March 5, 2011 - National Champions Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival (Boston, MA)
  • February 8, 2008 - National Champions Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival (Boston, MA)
  • March 7, 2004 - National Champions Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival (Boston, MA)
  • May 11, 2003 - Grand Prize Winner, Fraze Pavilion Jazz Challenge (Kettering, OH)
  • March 31, 2003 - Opening Act for Cityfolk Jazz Series Steve Wilson Quartet (Dayton, OH)
  • March 29, 2003 - Grand Prize Winner, University of Findlay Jazzfest (Findlay, OH)
  • February 19, 2003 - Grand Prize Winner, Jazz in the Heights Festival; opening act for Diane Schurr Trio (Huber Heights, OH)
  • May 13, 2002 - Grand Prize Winner, Fraze Pavilion Jazz Challenge (Kettering, OH)
  • April 10, 2002 - Rising Young Stars Invitational Concert, Tri-C Jazzfest, Cuyohoga Community College (Cleveland, OH)
  • March 23, 2002 - Grand Prize Winner, University of Findlay Jazzfest (Findlay, OH)
  • February 10, 2002 - Grand Prize Winner, Jazz in the Heights Festival, opening act for Maynard Feguson Nouveau Big Band (Huber Heights, OH)

Biography of Director Claude Lucien Thomas

Conductor, Director, Composer, Arranger, Saxophonist

 

Claude Lucien Thomas began music studies under the guidance of Oliver Nelson disciple Augustus T. Walker Jr.  During high school, Claude studied saxophone with Lou Marini at Bowling Green State University.  Later Mr. Thomas Received and accepted a music scholarship to The Ohio State University completing undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate programs.  In 2006, Claude completed the specialist program in arranging and is finishing teh master specialist program in film scoring and orchestration from the Berklee School of Music.  At 18, Mr. Thomas went to work with the Ray Charles Orchestra.  Later he would come back to The Ohio State University to teach jazz big band.  Other teaching and performing experiences include perofrmances with the Temptations, the Four Tops and O'Jays, along with teaching assignments at Kenyon College and the Columbus and Wverly, Ohio school systems.  Mr. Thomas is currently the director of Stivers Schoolf or the Arts Jazz Orchestra in Dayton, Ohio.

 

 

For more information, please contact Claude Lucien Thomas at clathoma@dps.k12.oh.us.

 

For audition information for Grades 7-8, please go to the 7-8 Audition Information page HERE.

For audition information for Grades 9-12, please go to the 9-12 Audition Information page HERE.

 

For performance information, please go to the calendar.