2024 JAZZ HOUSE SUMMER WORKSHOP

AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 17

WORK HARD AND PLAY HARD at the award-winning JAZZ HOUSE Summer Workshop held on the campus of Montclair State University. The intensive two-week session immerses instrumental and vocal students in the art of jazz performance and helps them become well-rounded musicians. Students of all levels receive mentoring and top-notch instruction to develop key skills and enhance knowledge in fundamentals of music.

JAZZ HOUSE Montclair Summer Workshop
Masterclasses with renowned special guests • History + Culture
Small group + big band ensembles, improv • Composition
Daily combo performances and jam sessions • Vocal Jazz Academy
TV + Film Scoring • Music Production • CHiCA Power

 

The workshop provides a safe environment where young musicians are mentored by an array of acclaimed faculty made up of leading jazz musicians, composers and educators, as well as visiting guest artists. Together, emerging musicians create musical bonds and memories that will last a lifetime.

LOCATION

John J. Cali School of Music
Montclair State University
1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043

AGES + LEVELS

12-18; all levels welcome

WORKSHOP HOURS

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Student drop off is at 8:30 AM)

  • Optional private lessons from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Informal Student Jam Sessions from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Summer Workshop

SUMMER WORKSHOP PROGRAM

 
COMBOS

Rehearse each day with a small ensemble – the “small combo” is at the heart of jazz, providing the space and freedom for musicians to improvise and create at the highest levels. Performance opportunities will include outdoor community concerts.

VOCAL JAZZ ACADEMY

Calling all singers! Study with distinguished New York City-based faculty for advanced jazz ensemble singing, coupled with an exciting curriculum of vocal technique, theory and repertoire development. Vocal Academy students will participate in jam sessions and sing with small jazz combos in outdoor community concerts. Vocal large ensemble open to instrumentalists who sing as well.

FACULTY + GUEST ARTISTS

Work with an incredible core faculty every day that includes more than 25 leading jazz musicians, composers and educators! Our own 8-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist CHRISTIAN McBRIDE leads masterclasses and coaches ensembles on a variety of techniques and subjects, as well as many weekly special guests. Past guests include Ron Blake, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Anat Cohen, Antonio Hart, Louis Hayes, Ingrid Jensen, Ashley Kahn, Geoffrey Keezer, Oliver Lake, Harold Mabern, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Russell Malone, Eddie Palmieri, Christian Sands, Norman Simmons, Akiko Tsugura and Steve Turre.

CHiCA POWER

Rise and Improvise! Be part of this “girls only” initiative that empowers young women and the next generation of female jazz musicians, while having fun playing this great American art form and learning about the rich contributions of women in jazz. Masterclasses are led by internationally celebrated female jazz artists such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ingrid Jensen, Michela Marino Lerman, Anat Cohen, Regina Carter, and Camila Meza.

TV & FILM SCORING

Get the “tools” needed to navigate avenues open to today’s composers. This custom track focuses on technical skills and the composition process while students learn about musical ideas, sketches, revisions and performance for TV & film scoring.

COMPOSITION

Experiment with writing concepts and expand your improvising voice through composition! Students will improve their musicianship by recording their creations as well as by performing on other student composed pieces.

MUSIC PRODUCTION

Students will explore the essential recording and production techniques necessary to create their own songs. In an ever increasing ‘do-it-yourself’ environment, musicians who are able to produce their own material certainly have a leg up!

FAMILY BBQ

All students, faculty, friends and families are invited to meet and mingle (socially distant!) for an outdoor BBQ picnic and student jam.

Big Band

SUMMER WORKSHOP PERFORMANCES

BIG BANDS AT DIZZY’S

Clubs are where jazz was born and where it will live on! Perform on the same stage as jazz legends at the acclaimed Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center with its panoramic views of the New York City skyline, hosted by Artistic Director Christian McBride.

COMBOS AT THE CONCERT HALL

Perform on stage in the state-of-the-art Leshowitz Recital Hall at Montclair State University, live-streamed on our Facebook page.

PERFORM AT THE MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL!

Held in downtown Montclair for thousands of jazz fans, family, and friends, all Workshop students will perform live on stage on Saturday, August 17 at the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FEST; rain date Sunday, August 18.

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

To accommodate our growing number of campers from across the country and the globe, JAZZ HOUSE Summer Workshop students may opt to stay in the dorms on the campus of Montclair State University, steps away from the Cali School of Music. Students will be chaperoned by JAZZ HOUSE staff. Space is limited; submit the housing supplement with your online Summer Workshop registration today!

  • Machuga Heights Residence Hall
  • Air-conditioned
  • All meals provided
  • After-hours and weekend activities
  • Weekend accommodations
  • Free laundry services on site
  • Monday, August 4, 2024: check in at 5:00 PM
  • Saturday, August 17: check out at 10:00 AM

DAILY SCHEDULE

Monday – Friday

  • 8:30 AM Arrival
  • 8:45 AM Announcements
  • 9:00 AM Improv
  • 10:00 AM Instrumental Tech
  • 11:00 AM Small Ensembles
  • 12:40 PM Guest Artist Symposium + Lunch
  • 2:00 PM Composition
  • 3:20 PM Big Band
  • 5:00 PM Dismissal
  • 5:00 PM Informal Student Jam Sessions

*Subject to change

2021 Summer Workshop Online Masterclass

Register Now!

TUITION

  • Registration Fee: $50 per family
  • Tuition: $1,850
  • Early Bird Discount March 29:
    $100 off with Discount Code EARLYBIRD24
  • Residential Option: $1,550
    • Montclair State University housing
    • 13 nights; evening + weekend activities
    • Move in date: August 4, 2024
  • Need-based tuition assistance is available. Please fill out this application with your registration

IMPORTANT DATES

  • FEBRUARY – MARCH
    Early Registration Incentive Months! Current JAZZ HOUSE students completing registration and payment in February and March will receive a JAZZ HOUSE gift.
  • March 29: Early Bird Deadline

CANCELATION POLICY

There is a 100% refund (less the $125 initial deposit & registration fee) until June 1st. The $25 Registration Fee will be applied to any future program your child may register for at the JAZZ HOUSE in 2023. There is a 50% refund (less the $125 initial deposit & registration fee) June 2 – July 1. There are no refunds beyond July 1st.

STUDENT PLACEMENTS

All students from beginner to advanced ages 12-18 are welcome! Students outside of age range will be accommodated based on experience level.

ALL STUDENTS must prepare and submit video auditions to place them in the appropriate class. Audition guidelines and materials can be found on the Audition Process page on our website. The same audition will be used for Fall 2023 classes.

AUDITION GUIDELINES
Audition links can be submitted in the “Link to audition video on YouTube” line of your registration form. All audition materials are due June 1, 2024. For more information on the audition process click here.

QUESTIONS?
Call us at 973-744-2273 or email via STUDENTSERVICES@JAZZHOUSEKIDS.ORG 

 

We thank our 2023 Summer Workshop Supporters:

The ASCAP Foundation, Conn-Selmer, Inc., Gia Maione Prima Foundation, Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Ludwig Drums, McDonald’s of Paterson and the Adderley Management Company Inc., ShopRite of Newark, and Steinway & Sons, with additional support from TD Charitable Foundation, New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

HELP US KEEP swinging straight ahead