The Shedd Institute’s summer Jazz Academy Camp is a set of two one-week jazz enrichment camps. Come and play in the ensemble, improvise in a small group setting and learn from some of the hardest working musicians around. This is a great opportunity for you to accelerate your knowledge of jazz music and your abilities on your instrument. You can develop your sectional and listening skills, gain new ideas for improvisation, and learn how to apply these skills on stage. Special guests will also be appearing at the camp to give presentations as well as performing alongside the students.
Interested in jazz music but don’t know where to start? Our introductory Jazz Academy week is what you’re looking for. No matter how much or little you know about jazz, we’re here to help you take the next step. We will be exploring the structure, form, history and theory of jazz through active listening, demonstrations and hands on exploration of music. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in jazz including new players and those new to an instrument.
Week 2: Enjoy a week long intensive jazz experience. Come and play in the ensemble, improvise in a small group setting and learn from some of the hardest working musicians around. This is a great opportunity for you to accelerate your knowledge of jazz music and your abilities on your instrument. You can develop your sectional and listening skills, gain new ideas for improvisation, and learn how to apply these skills on stage. Special guests will also be appearing at the camp to give presentations as well as performing alongside the students.
WEEK 1 (June 29 - July 3)
Each day will begin with a short introduction and review period, followed by an activity to engage students in the topic of the day. To give the student a foundational understanding of where jazz comes from, we’ll then focus on the history of the music. Guest artists and demonstrations will be featured throughout the week to answer students’ questions and help them experience jazz in a live setting. Each day will conclude with a chance for the students to play jazz and express what they’ve been learning.
| 9:00 | – | 9:30 am | Intro/Review |
| 9:30 | – | 10:00 am | Discussion/Activity |
| 10:00 | – | 11:00 am | Jazz History |
| 11:00 | – | 11:30 am | Theory/Demonstration |
| 11:30 | – | 12:00 pm | --Lunch |
| 12:00 | – | 1:00 pm | Music Hands-On |
WEEK 2 (July 13 - 17)
Each morning begins with an introduction and review, followed by instruction in music theory. Each day campers will be familiarized to a different style of jazz as well as the history of that style. Various guest artists will be featured throughout the week to further the students’ understanding and experience. Each day ends with a jam session featuring music in the style of the day. The week will culminate in a performance highlighting songs from each style learned.
| 9:00 | – | 9:30 am | Intro/Review |
| 9:30 | – | 10:00 am | Warm Ups/Exercises |
| 10:00 | – | 10:30 am |
Listening/Discussion |
| 10:30 | – | 11:30 am | Guest demonstration/Rehearse |
| 11:30 | – | 12:00 pm | -- Lunch |
| 12:00 | – | 1:00 pm | Jam Session |