Do you like to play, listen to or dance to jazz music? Then the Delft Student Jazz Association (DSJV), also known as Groover, is something you should know about.
Originally part of Krashna Musika, the student music society at TU Delft, members of the big band decided to break off and form their own society in 2006. Now with nearly 300 members, Groover has grown beyond a jazz organization to include other music styles like funk, Latin soul, fusion and blues.
Though the organization offers plenty of opportunities to experienced musicians, you don’t have to be a musician to participate. “We are called a jazz society, but we want to create a place for everyone who loves jazz,” said Renée Dooren, chair of the DSJV board.
For the more experienced, auditions are required to be part of a band or combo. Musical groups include the Groover Big Band, an a cappella jazz choir called Vocalzz, and a soul band called Capital S. Starting this month the organization is also forming a Latin band. These groups have weekly rehearsals with a conductor or band coach. Some of Groover’s bands and combos can be hired and often perform at TU Delft and for external events like weddings. They are also regularly seen performing at the annual Delft Jazz Festival.
In addition to those types of performances, the society also hosts jam sessions and drinks three times a month for members and a once monthly jam session that is open to anyone. These events take place at locations in the Delft city centre. Dooren, a third year civil engineering student, said that the organization is not just a music society, but also a student society with gezelligheid. She noted that about 70 % of their members are from TU Delft.
As members of DSJV, both aspiring and experienced musicians have the opportunity to take workshops and master classes to develop their musical abilities. One such course offered each year is called “Muppet Music”, an introduction programme that teaches how to jam, make music in combos and about jazz music in general.
According to Dooren, they are trying to make it easier for international students to participate. They are adding English content to their website and often conduct sessions in English to encourage more participation.
For more information about Groover visit https://www.facebook.com/grooverjazzdelft?fref=ts.
This is part of our ongoing series Meet The Society which highlights different student groups and societies at TU Delft. If you’d like to suggest an organisation for us to cover, please email us at deltainternational@tudelft.nl.
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