master class | NOVA Alexandria Music Department

Recently voted as one of the top trombonist in America by JazzTimes readers, jazz composer and performer, Wycliff Gordon, was recently in Virginia recording and performing with The Airmen of Note. In December, he took time out to come to Alexandria Campus.

NOVA students, community members, and Alexandria High School students attended a wonderful masterclass given by the amazing Wycliffe Gordon in December 2021. Professor Gordon demonstrated his warm-up process and then used call and response to show students how to internalize their musical ideas and express themselves freely using their voice. According to Professor Gordon, if you can sing it, you can play it!

Wycliffe Gordon at his master class for NOVA students, community members, and Alexandria High School students at Northern Virginia Community College. Photo by Shannon GunnFor more information on Wycliff, visit https://wycliffegordon.com/

For information on our Jazz Studies Program and community jazz ensembles here at NOVA, contact Shannon Gunn at sgunn@nvcc.edu.

Internationally known vibraphonist, three time Grammy nominee, author and winner of the National Endowment for the Arts, JON METZGER, visited NOVA Alexandria on November 2nd for a master class in music. The students were absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from him.

Jon Metzger works with our NOVA Jazz ensemble students. November 2, 2018 at the Center for Design, Media and the Arts. Photo by Britt Conley

He performed with our jazz faculty before the harder work of the master class. “All the Things You Are” was beautifully improvised by Jon, Kevin Pace and John Kocur.

Internationally known vibraphonist, three time Grammy nominee, author and winner of the National Endowment for the Arts, JON METZGER, performing “All The Things You Are”, November 2nd for a master class in music at The Center for Media, Design and the Arts at the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College.

He also performed with the faculty again, including Wade Beach, at the end of the class. I have never heard “Stella by Starlight” performed so conversationally before. Honestly, it was class in and of itself.

The students learned so much about how to up their abilities and perform at an even higher level.

Jon Metzger performs with our NOVA Jazz ensemble students John Butler, Fernando Galeas, Bryan Dicks and jazz faculty Kevin Pace. November 2, 2018 at the Center for Design, Media and the Arts. Photo by Britt Conley

Yon worked through collaborative jazz performance concepts with Rodney Avery on piano and Mary Himel on saxophone.

Yon Metzger, Rodney Avery on piano and Mary Himel on saxophone. November 2, 2018 at the Center for Design, Media and the Arts. Photo by Britt Conley

His innovative ideas on piano technique, collaborating through octave ranges during improvisation, where a lesson for all of us.

Rodney Avery and Jon Metzger working through some piano options on November 2, 2018 at the Center for Design, Media and the Arts. Photo by Britt Conley

Andrew Grabowski on guitar, Kevin Pace on bass, Rodney Avery, Jon Metzger, and Kurt Steinbacher on drums, working on musicianship with Jon. November 2, 2018 at the Center for Design, Media and the Arts. Photo by Britt Conley

He coaxed Andrew Grabowski into the nuances of a whole new level of soloing. It was amazing to see how quickly he could change each students approach.

Jon Metzger performs with our NOVA Jazz ensemble students. November 2, 2018 at the Center for Design, Media and the Arts. Photo by Britt Conley

One of the great joys for everyone was jamming with Jon. The students were thrilled! What an incredible opportunity, this was.

Jon was able to funnel years of professional knowledge toward each students specific needs. It was a joy to hear the differences one master class could make.