Rich DeRosa, Director of Jazz Composition and Arranging, University of North Texas, taught The DeRosa Method for Music Educators, a HAPCO master class, for OCPS music educators in April. He focused on topics including improv, the rhythm section, achieving a unified ensemble sound and effective rehearsals.
Rich is the son of Clem DeRosa, one of the first educators to create a curriculum for teaching children about America’s musical art form – jazz. Clem transformed his knowledge and professional experience into simple, effective methods that yielded quick results for students. DeRosa carries on his father’s vision and love for music through The DeRosa Method.
Rich DeRosa has written jazz arrangements for some of the top big bands in the world including the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the WDR Big Band and the Mel Lewis Orchestra. He has written arrangements for a wide variety of vocalists ranging from Norah Jones, Kurt Elling, Patti Austin, Reneé Fleming and Susannah McCorkle. Details: www.richderosa.com
HAPCO master classes are funded by Florida Lottery and The Florida Smooth Jazz Foundation.
For details about Florida Lottery’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program, visit http://www.flalottery.com/brightfutures
For info on The Florida Smooth Jazz Foundation – the Florida Smooth Jazz Weekend is Nov 2-5 in Daytona Beach – visit https://www.floridasmoothjazz.com
@floridalottery #FundingFutures
