• Combo placement auditions for all students, as well as music theory exams, will be held on Sunday, July 29.
• Workshop runs from Monday, July 30, though Friday, August 3.

Click here to register!

Already registered but need to pay? Simply go to the Registration page and scroll to the bottom to get to the PayPal buttons.

When you are at the PayPal screen, please be sure to enter your student’s name. Paypal tells us your name and address, but not your student’s name.

Musicians interested in placement in an advanced combo should know all 12 major scales, and be prepared to play an improvised piece. Bring the accompanying CD (an Aebersold CD, for example) to the audition.

Every jazz-loving musician is welcome at jazz camp, but you’ll get the most out of it if you have at least two years on your instrument and experience playing with an ensemble. Lafayette Summer Music Workshop has welcomed musician/campers from ages 12 to adult, who play standard jazz instruments – trumpets, saxes, trombones, rhythm section (piano, bass, drums, guitar, vibes), plus additional instruments (flute, for example) on an occasional basis.

By July 15, 2012, registered attendees will be e-mailed an audition time. The audition itself is 10-15 minutes, but allow 45 minutes to sign in, warm up and complete the music theory test too. Here are a few more details:

• All auditions are held at Stanley School in Lafayette, the same location as the camp itself. Arrive 20 minutes before your audition time and check in at the registration desk.
• Pick up a theory test at the registration table too – when you’re done, hand it back there too. Don’t worry. These tests are used to place you in the correct level theory class, so you’re not in over your head.
• Likewise, the live placement audition guarantees that you are placed in the correct level combo and master class. You’ll be playing 6 major scales and a prepared jazz piece.
• If you are an intermediate or advanced player, you will want to study and play the sample tunes for levels 3, 4, and 5, just to get a feel for what’s expected and what level you are. There will be sight-reading, in which you will play the melody and improvise over the chord changes of a tune chosen by the auditioner.
• Drummers will be playing with a professional bass player and piano
  player. A drum set will be provided.
• Bassists will be playing with a professional pianist and drummer. Amplifiers are provided for guitar and bass auditions. Pianos are provided for piano auditions.

You will need a letter of recommendation from your music teacher, an audition tape or CD, and a letter from your parent or guardian that explains your need for financial assistance.

The application deadline is May 1, and notifications of award will be made May 20.

Level 1 – Little or no Jazz or improvisation experience – If you’re a beginner, don’t worry. We know you’re here to learn, and we’re here to help! This should be a fun 10 minutes for you !

To be considered for a more advanced level combo, here are representative tunes from each level. These tunes have been recorded by top musicians all over the world.  If you chose to play a tune from this list, we will have play-along CDs and music.  If you decide to prepare a piece not on this list, please bring a play-along CD if you want to use one. For Bassists and Drummers, bring two copies of the music.

Level 2
Now’s The Time, C Jam Blues, and other Blues heads
Impressions
Watermelon Man

Level 3
Autumn Leaves
Song For My Father
Pent-Up House
Lady Bird
Lullaby of Birdland
Blue Bossa
Satin Doll

Level 4
Afternoon in Paris
Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
Rhythm Changes Tunes
I’ll Remember April
Strollin’
What Is This Thing Called Love
The Days of Wine and Roses

Level 5
All The Things You Are
Stella By Starlight
Tune Up
Giant Steps
Cherokee

To see some great videos posted by participants of this year’s program, visit our Facebook Group!
LSMJW Facebook Group

40 classrooms are set up. The Concert Room and Stage are set up.
214 actual pieces of gear (amps, keyboards, drum sets) have been delivered to classrooms and set up, or delivered to the Concert Room waiting to move tomorrow when combo placement is known.

The stage is in place, and the 9-foot Steinway is on it. Drum sets and amps and the PA system are on it. 3 drum master classes are set up.

Auditions are complete; some of the best auditions we’ve heard!

THANK YOU to everyone who came to help. We’re off to a fantastic start!

Please don’t hesitate to apply, but you may be placed on the Waiting List. We will let you know either way as soon as we receive your application.

If you are waitlisted, we will let you know as soon as there is a cancellation that opens up a position. And of course, we will work the list based on the time the applications are received.

If you are on the Waiting List at the time the Workshop begins, we will issue a full refund.

• Combo placement auditions for all students, as well as music theory exams, will be held on Sunday, July 31.
• Workshop runs from Monday, August 1, though Friday, August 5.

Click here to register!