Jazzschool Summer Youth Program 2008
-A guided tour of the world of jazz!     

Download And Fill Out An Application Form

The Jazzschool is currently accepting applications for the seventh annual Summer Youth Program! Instrumentalists and vocalists entering grades seven, eight, and nine are welcome.

The Summer Youth Program runs June 16th - 27th (Monday - Friday) from 9:30AM-3PM.

Over the course of 10 days, each student participates in 4 daily classes, private lessons, supervised jam sessions (with an all-star house band) and daily faculty concerts!

The program concludes with a student performance Friday June 27th at 6pm – free admission!

The cost of the program is $760.

Student Prerequisites:

Horn and string players should have some ability to read music, guitarists and pianists should have some familiarity with reading basic chord symbols, and drum set players should be able to keep steady time in jazz and rock styles.

Schedule of Activities:

Course Descriptions:

Each student participates in the following classes.

Morning Warm-Up and Improvisation Lab:

Students begin the day with a warm-up/master class and are introduced to a variety of jazz improvisation techniques.

Jazz Ensemble:

Students rehearse and perform a wide variety of music from the jazz repertoire with an emphasis on improvisation and swing. The ensemble focuses on developing listening and communication skills essential to playing jazz and emphasizes the classic jazz styles of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and others. Students also gain instruction in reading music.
Instructor: Keith Johnson

Latin Ensemble:

Students are introduced to the rhythms and styles of various Latin music forms and learn concepts characteristic of the genre including clave, the main organizing principle of Afro-Caribbean music, montuno, the repeated syncopated vamps played by the piano, tumbao, the time-keeping patterns played by the bass and congas, and more. Emphasis on the music of Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, and others.
Instructor: Melecio Magdaluyo

Rhythms of the World - Hand Drumming:

Students explore the basic tones common to all African-Diaspora hand drumming and learn specific techniques for getting a good sound from the conga drum. Once a basic tone knowledge is grasped, students explore ensemble playing, where each member holds two or more different interlocking parts simultaneously. Students learn the traditional rhythms of Haiti, Cuba, West Africa, North America, and Brazil.
Instructor: Micha Patri

Electives:

Students choose one of the following three electives:

Reggae Session

Students learn songs and grooves from throughout the history of reggae in Jamaica and beyond. From ska to rock steady, one drop to rockers to dancehall, students gain an historical overview of the important artists who have performed in the reggae style from the 1960’s to the present day, while developing the skills to play this exciting style of music.

Funk Session

Students explore the broad range of funk and its stylistic evolution, from Parliament to James Brown, to Sly Stone, Prince and beyond. Students gain a hands-on understanding of what transforms a simple repetitive rhythmic pattern into a relentless musical force.

Blues Session

Jazz emerged directly from blues styles played by musicians in the early part of the 20th century, but blues continues to be a vital musical form in its own right. From Bessie Smith to Lightnin’ Hopkins to Ray Charles, blues musicians have created some of the most important and moving music ever recorded. Students listen to classic recordings and learn to sing and play the blues.

Private Instruction:

Each student receives four private lessons on their primary instrument over the course of the program. Private lessons cover technique, music theory, sight-reading, and jazz
improvisation. Lessons are available on ALL instruments, and are taught by top Bay Area jazz educators.

For additional information please contact Jazzschool Summer Youth Program Director Rob Ewing at: (510) 845-5373 or rob@jazzschool.com