FAQs
JAZZ HOUSE MONTCLAIR
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
The safety of our students, families and faculty is of utmost importance.
JAZZ HOUSE staff and leadership will be monitoring the weather forecasts and alerts throughout the winter months. Should inclement weather be a factor, we will make a decision whether we remain open, delay, release early or close any of our programs or classes. The JAZZ HOUSE team will notify students, parents/guardians and faculty of the weather decision by email, text or by phone by 10:00 am or as soon as possible on the day of the adjustment. We will also post it on our website and social media outlets
At all times please use your discretion when traveling in any inclement weather. If you are unsure if JAZZ HOUSE is open, before heading out please call our Montclair office at 973-744-2273.
- All programming will operate on regular schedules
- If the weather forecast calls for deteriorating weather conditions throughout the day, the JAZZ HOUSE will implement our inclement weather protocols and postpone classes accordingly
- Parents will be notified by the JAZZ HOUSE team (text, email and phone) and we will post on our website, Facebook, and Instagram
- A delayed JAZZ HOUSE opening and class start time is on a case by case basis, ensuring the safety of parents and students dropping off and arriving
- When the decision is made to delay the opening time, parents will be notified by the JAZZ HOUSE team (text, email and phone) and we will be posted on our website, Facebook, and Instagram
- An early release time from classes at the JAZZ HOUSE is on a case by case basis, ensuring the safety of parents and students when picking up and departing
- If the decision is made to release students early, parents will be notified by the JAZZ HOUSE team (text, email and phone)
- A JAZZ HOUSE staff member will remain on-site until all students have been picked up
- In the event that all programming is canceled at JAZZ HOUSE due to inclement weather, a decision will be made by 10:00 AM and communicated as soon as possible to parents, students and faculty of the closure.
- Parents will be notified by the JAZZ HOUSE team (text, email and phone) and will be posted on our website, Facebook, and Instagram.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
Summer Sessions – NO. Current JAZZ HOUSE students do not need to submit an audition video for June/July classes. However you will need to submit an audition for your fall and workshop class placements.
Summer Workshop – YES. All students are asked to prepare and submit video auditions to place them in the appropriate level ensemble. Audition guidelines and materials can be found on the Audition Process page on our website. The same audition may be used for Fall 2023 classes. If you submitted a spring audition for 2023 classes, it can be used for both the JAZZ HOUSE Summer Workshop and 2023-24 JAZZ HOUSE class registrations.
YES. Auditions are required for all new students for appropriate level placement in our summer programs and are due June 1. If you enroll after June 1, we still require the audition materials to be submitted.
SUMMER WORKSHOP
NO. The program is a two-week commitment with a final performance on Saturday, August 13 at the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL.
NO. For safety reasons, students are required to stay at the facility or in supervised outside activities for the entire day.
YES. Summer Workshop participants may opt for housing in Montclair State University dorms, steps away from the Cali School of Music. Students will be chaperoned by JAZZ HOUSE KiDS staff and teaching assistants. Space is limited; submit the housing supplement with your online Summer Workshop registration today. Meals are included in the Residential fee.
NO. Lunches are not provided to students not participating in the residential hall program. Students should bring a brown bag lunch.
YES, one-on-one lessons can be arranged in advance with the Student Services team. Private lessons will be held from 5 PM – 6 PM.
NO. The JAZZ HOUSE Summer Workshop features a FREE open jam session as well as other extra informal musical opportunities everyday from 5pm – 6pm. Jazz House staff will be on-site each day beginning at 8 AM. Students must be picked up by 6 PM, no exceptions.
For Students
Yes. Auditions are required for all new students for appropriate level placement in our school year and summer programs.
No. Your spring audition can be used for both summer and fall / spring 2023 – 2024 class registrations.
Please carve out a certain amount of time on a daily basis that you can devote to your practice. It helps if it is at the same time every day. You don’t have to practice for very long—what’s more important is that your practice be consistent and daily. However, the amount of time you practice is directly related to how fast you advance.
No, but you do have to have an interest in improvised music, an open mind, a good attitude, and a willingness to learn. With that formula, you’ll be a jazz fan in no time.
The first step for all students is learning how to play a simple 12-bar blues in Bb and then F. A drummer’s first step should be to learn a swing feel. Bass players should learn to walk a bass line to outline the chords of the blues.
We ask that all students have at least one year of experience on their instrument and be able to at least have a basic ability to read music.
We do not offer private lessons, but we are more than happy to help you find the right private teacher. We feel that the private lesson experience is extremely important and urge all of our students to take private lessons.
FOR PARENTS
The Jazz House faculty is made up jazz musicians who are not only some of our area’s most highly regarded working jazz musicians, but are also great teachers.
We do not offer private lessons, but we are more than happy to help you find the right private teacher for your child. We value the importance of private lessons and urge all of our students to take them.
JAZZ HOUSE KiDS offers need-based financial assistance to those families who qualify. Limited tuition assistance is available for both our academic year and summer programs. Please apply early. To inquire, please contact us at 973.744.2273 or email us at studentservices@JAZZHOUSEKIDS.ORG.
At all times, students are accompanied by at least one staff or faculty member. Often, we have staff as well faculty on hand.
Skill level is more of a determining factor than age in class placement. However, we do take age into account when we can, to make sure the social environment in each class will help create an atmosphere conducive to musical growth.
If a student is late to a rehearsal or needs to miss it altogether because of sports, family obligations, school concerts, etc., the student or parent must contact the director of the ensemble at least three days in advance. Only in emergency situations and unforeseen circumstances will advance notice of less than three days be accepted.
A student who misses three or more rehearsals may be asked to leave the group.
Unexcused Absences:
Missing two rehearsals unexcused may result in being asked to leave the group. Jazz House Kids must be notified of the reason for any unexcused absence.
Please note: Attendance at all concerts, competitions, performances and related rehearsals is mandatory. Periodically, performances may be added to an ensemble’s calendar. At such times, we will make every effort to give notice, well in advance.
Students should devote a certain amount of time on a daily basis to individual practice. It does not have to be very long—what’s more important is that it is consistent and daily. However, the amount of time a student practices is directly related to how fast he advances.
CANCELLATION + REFUND POLICY
Please note that all fees and deposits are non-refundable. A $25 Registration Fee and $100 Class Placement Deposit are due at the time of registration. If a student withdraws from the program for any reason, the Program Fee will be forfeited; credit will be issued for future registration. If a class is canceled for any reason, we will make every effort to work with the student to find a suitable alternative class offering.
In the event that a student on a Payment Plan withdraws from the program for any reason, the Program Fee for the current trimester will be forfeited and the balance for the current trimester will be charged to the credit card on file to satisfy the Payment Plan Policy. Should any in-person programming have to be transferred to an online format due to safety concerns, or local, state or federal guidelines related to the on-going the Coronavirus pandemic, no refunds will be given. Should the JAZZ HOUSE arts education program have to be canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic safety concerns and/or local, state or federal guidelines, all registrations will be credited for use. Thank you for your understanding.
JAZZ HOUSE NYC
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
The safety of our students, families and faculty is of utmost importance.
The staff and leadership at JAZZ HOUSE NYC and Trinity Youth staff will be monitoring the weather forecasts and alerts throughout the winter months. JAZZ HOUSE NYC Youth programming mirrors the Trinity Youth Afterschool program. If Trinity Youth decides to remain open, delay, release early or close, JAZZ HOUSE NYC will be doing the same.
Should inclement weather be a factor, a decision whether we remain open, delay, release early or close any of our programs or classes. We will notify students, parents/guardians and faculty of the weather decision by email, text or by phone by 10:00 am or as soon as possible on the day of the adjustment. We will also post it on our JAZZ HOUSE website and social media outlets.
The decision to remain open, delay, release early or close is based on the ability to:
- Operate classes safely
- Allow students to take public transportation & walk safely and
- Allow employees to get to work safely.
If you are unsure if JAZZ HOUSE NYC is open, before heading out please call our Trinity office at 332-268-3225
- All programming will operate on regular schedules
- If the weather forecast calls for deteriorating weather conditions throughout the day, the JAZZ HOUSE NYC will implement our inclement weather protocols and postpone classes accordingly
- Parents will be notified (text, email and phone) and we will post on our JAZZ HOUSE website, Facebook, and Instagram
- A delayed JAZZ HOUSE NYC opening and class start time is on a case by case basis, ensuring the safety of parents and students dropping off and arriving
- When the decision is made to delay the opening time, parents will be notified (text, email and phone) and we will be posted on our JAZZ HOUSE website, Facebook, and Instagram
- An early release time from classes at JAZZ HOUSE NYC is on a case by case basis, ensuring the safety of parents and students when picking up and departing
- If the decision is made to release students early, parents will be notified (text, email and phone)
- A staff member will remain on-site until all students have been picked up
- In the event that all programming is canceled at JAZZ HOUSE NYC due to inclement weather, a decision will be made by 10:00 AM and communicated as soon as possible to parents, students and faculty of the closure.
- Parents will be notified (text, email and phone) and will be posted on our JAZZ HOUSE website, Facebook, and Instagram.
For Students
Yes. Auditions are required for all new students for appropriate level placement in our school year and summer programs.
No. Your spring audition can be used for both summer and fall / spring 2023 – 2024 class registrations.
Please carve out a certain amount of time on a daily basis that you can devote to your practice. It helps if it is at the same time every day. You don’t have to practice for very long—what’s more important is that your practice be consistent and daily. However, the amount of time you practice is directly related to how fast you advance.
No, but you do have to have an interest in improvised music, an open mind, a good attitude, and a willingness to learn. With that formula, you’ll be a jazz fan in no time.
The first step for all students is learning how to play a simple 12-bar blues in Bb and then F. A drummer’s first step should be to learn a swing feel. Bass players should learn to walk a bass line to outline the chords of the blues.
We ask that all students have at least one year of experience on their instrument and be able to at least have a basic ability to read music.
We do not offer private lessons, but we are more than happy to help you find the right private teacher. We feel that the private lesson experience is extremely important and urge all of our students to take private lessons.