High school students can interact with and learn from jazz masters while earning college credit through SUNY Oswego's Summer Jazz Institute from July 17 to 30.
One of the institute's strengths is the amount of individualized attention students receive from world-class educators and performers, said coordinator Rick Holland of the SUNY Oswego music faculty.
Attendees will have the opportunity to interact in groups such as a little big band or smaller combos. The institute will present six concerts during the two-week span, including a performance by its music faculty at a Thursday night Farmer's Market in downtown Oswego. The two-week residential program will culminate with students and faculty performing for family, friends and community members on July 30.
"We have a pretty balanced curriculum between theory and performance," Holland said. The institute will resemble an intensive college curriculum in that it will range from introductory material to master classes led by visiting faculty, he added. Completion of the program will earn students three college credits.
"There will be some composition nights where we'll write some compositions and then play them," Holland said. "The students really loved that last time." In addition, open jams encouraging student and faculty participation will take place each Monday and Friday.
The institute has attracted up-and-coming players from the East Coast, Southeast and around the state interested in the musical immersion program with participants staying on the SUNY Oswego campus.
Presenters will include Holland on trumpet, big band, jazz history and combos; Grammy-nominated saxophonist Kerry Strayer on combos, improvisation and theory; Dan Kramlich on jazz piano, workshops and combos; Carl Cafagna on saxophones, repertory orchestras and improvisation; Rodney Lancaster on trombone, combos and improvisation; David Rosin on rhythm section techniques, bass and combos; and Chris Earley on drums, percussion master classes and combos.
Faculty members will lead rehearsals, technical instruction and workshops for most of each daylong session. Classes on jazz history and music theory will provide additional foundational support.
SUNY Oswego's Office of Continuing Education sponsors the institute, which is expanding this year from its weeklong form in its debut last year.
The institute has a rolling deadline. Students may apply for partial, need-based scholarships.
For more information on the SUNY Oswego Summer Jazz Institute, visit
www.oswego.edu/jazzinstitute or call the college's Office of Continuing Education at 312-2270.
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