Summer Jazz

Learn together with the world-renowned School of Music Jazz Studies faculty

Sunday, July 31 - Saturday, August 6, 2022

Immerse yourself in an innovative week of music making with the world-renowned DePaul School of Music Jazz Studies faculty! This program offers serious jazz students an invaluable chance to work closely with the outstanding professional musicians of the Jazz Studies program including Dana Hall, drums and cymbals, Scott Burns, saxophones, Dennis Carroll, bass, Scott Hesse, guitar, Chad McCullough, trumpet, Kathryn Sherman, jazz vocals, and Jim Trompeter, piano.

Spend the week in the state-of-the-art Holtschneider Performance Center participating in ensemble rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, masterclasses, instrument specific sessions, jazz listening, theory and improvisation sessions, and private instruction for each student. During the week, experience an off-site trip to hear jazz in a Chicago club and enjoy fellowship with faculty members and other participants over a group meal. The week will culminate in a series of concerts performed by students and faculty.

Rising high school sophomore, junior and senior music students are encouraged to apply.

Applications are now closed for this program.

How do I apply?

Please review audition requirements by instrument. PDF's of lead sheets listed in requirements can be found linked at the bottom of this webpage.

Trumpet/Trombone/Saxophone/Guitar/Piano/Vibraphone

• Play a blues melody and an improvisation (at least 2 choruses of solo). Choose from “Now’s the Time," “Sandu," or "Straight No Chaser."

• Play another short-form jazz standard. Choose from "Solar," "Lady Bird," or "Tune Up."

• A chromatic scale played the entire (comfortable) range.

• A short jazz etude in swing style (perhaps 16 bars or so).

Voice

• Sing “Centerpiece” and improvise (at least 2 choruses of solo).

• Sing another jazz standard (one chorus is fine – no improv needed). Choose from “It Could Happen to You,” “There Will Never Be Another You,” or “East of the Sun."

• A chromatic scale sung the entire (comfortable) range.

Drums

• Demonstrate timekeeping ability in the following styles:

• Play time in 4/4 swing feel for 1 minute (half note = 96)

• Trade fours (4/4 swing followed by solo, repeated, half note = 110) for 1 minute

• Play a mambo, quarter note = 200 for 1 minute

• Play a funk groove for 1 minute

• Prepare a short excerpt of a big band chart (16 bars or so, something with some set-ups/kicks)

Bass

• Walk a bass line on a blues (at least 2 choruses). Choose from “Now’s the Time," “Sandu," or "Straight No Chaser."

• Play a couple of 2 octave major scales.

What is the cost of the program?

Tuition for the program is $1,295 (non-credit) for all students.

Where can I stay for the program?

Limited on-campus shared housing is available for $550 for the duration of the program. In the application, please select if you would like to receive more information about housing

Key dates for the program.

Application deadline has been extended to April 15, 2022. Students will be informed of acceptance to summer workshops in early May. Total fees for the program are $1,295 for program only and $550 for housing. A non-refundable 50% deposit for participation will be due by Monday, May 15, 2022. Remaining 50% will be due four weeks prior to the program start date. Payment instructions will be communicated upon acceptance.