Chicago Jazz Workshop
July 23 - 27, 2012, for grades 6-12

A week long intensive music day camp for serious students of jazz.

“Thank you for the great week at Jazz Camp. My son, Cary, enjoyed the teachers, combos and master classes... What a treat! The music was fabulous!" - parent on the Chicago Jazz Workshop

The Chicago Jazz Workshop is designed with the aspiring creative jazz musician in mind. Students are placed in jazz combos of five to eight students, where the focus is ensemble interaction, accompaniment, and improvisation through the study of jazz standards. Students also attend daily theory classes and technique classes. Master classes are given throughout the week, allowing students to explore the unique aspects of their particular instrument. The ultimate goal of the workshop is to help students gain a better understanding of how to control and manipulate their musical environment.

Location

The Chicago Jazz Workshop takes place at the MYA Center at Fort Sheridan, an historically significant building that once housed the U.S. Army Stockade. The center is a beautifully restored building that offers students a comfortable and functional home away from home during the summer.

Faculty and Guest Artists

Chris Madsen is Director of MYA’s Big Band, Jazz Orchestra, and also teaches courses in music theory and composition. Madsen is an in-demand figure in both the Chicago and New York jazz scenes, actively performing, writing, and teaching in multiple contexts and venues.

After graduating from DePaul University in Chicago with a B.M. in Jazz Studies, Madsen auditioned for the then-relatively new Juilliard Jazz Studies program. He completed this two-year post-bachelor’s program in 2005. Madsen spent three years in New York, performing with and writing for such jazz masters as Wynton Marsalis, Victor Goines, Loren Schoenberg, Wycliffe Gordon, Kenny Washington, Jon Gordon, and many others.

Madsen serves as Professor of Jazz Studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and is responsible for teaching Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Composition, and directing ensembles, and is assistant director of the Northwestern University Jazz Orchestra. He has directed ensembles at New Trier, Libertyville, John Hersey, and Elk Grove High Schools, and taught privately at those and other institutions.

Jarrard Harris, Saxophone is Director of Midwest Young Artists’ Jazz Combo Program and MYA’s Jazz Ensemble. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Jarrard attended the Youth Performing Arts School, Louisville Youth Orchestra and the All-State Symphonic band and Jazz band before moving onto The University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music to further his jazz studies. There he studied with Rick VanMatre, Pat Harbison, and Marc Fields. Upon graduating from UC and a brief stint as educational intern for Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jarrard moved to Chicago to further his studies at DePaul University where in 2003 he obtained his Masters in Jazz Studies.

Jarrard currently lives in Chicago where he is on the jazz faculty at Columbia College of Chicago and serving as artist instructor with the Thelonious Monk/Gallery 37 jazz performance program. He maintains an active teaching studio, in addition to adjudicating college and high school jazz festivals, giving masterclasses, lectures and performing in the U.S. and abroad. Jarrard is also a member of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Jon Faddis. He has been privileged to have performed with but not limited to such musicians as Claudio Roditi, Joe Lovano, Jimmy Heath, Nicholas Payton, Gerald Wilson, Marcus Belgrave, Eric Alexander, Ira Sullivan and Kenny Werner.

Nic Meyer, saxophone: Director of Jazz Programs, New Trier High School; Former Jazz Director MYA.

Eric Hochberg, Bass: Bandleader, Producer, Composer, Teacher, Active Performer throughout Chicago. Learn more at erichochberg.com.

Joan Hickey, Piano: University of Illinois, Northwestern University, Teacher and Performer. Learn more at joanhickey.com.

Joel Spencer, Drums: Northwestern University, University of Illinois, Teacher and Performer. Learn more at spencerdrums.com.

Frank Portolese, Guitar: Educator and Performer, University of Michigan, Elmhurst College. Learn more at frankportolese.com.

Chicago Jazz Workshop Daily Schedule

MYA's Chicago Jazz Workshop offers students the opportunity to improve their improvisational skills, to perform in small combos, and to work with professional jazz musicians who are also great educators. Students will take part in a selected jazz combo, grouped by age and ability (pre-formed combos may participate as well).

Sample Daily Schedule

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Theory
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	Rehearsal
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.	Brown Bag Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Free Time/Rehearsal
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.	Master Class
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.	Listening/Arranging Workshop
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.	Rehearsal
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.	Dinner on your own
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.	Evening Jazz Ensemble (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday)

Daily Schedule is subject to change

Final Concert at the MYA Center: TBA

Student Eligibility

Students must be in at least 6th grade by fall 2012. Students should have a solid background in music and be taking private lessons. The program is for students who are dedicated to learning jazz.

Tuition and Application

Students wishing to attend the Chicago Jazz Workshop must complete the Secure Online Application and submit the $50 non-refundable application fee. This application fee will be applied toward summer workshop tuition for students who enroll. Financial assistance is available. Applications will be accepted until all spots are filled. Tuition must be paid in full by June 1, 2012. Tuition for this workshop includes participation in Evening Jazz Ensembles.