Programme

The opportunity currently exists to establish a significant and potentially historic summer educational and career advancement program for jazz musicians. The Jazz Summer Workshop at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in conjunction with the Manhattan School of Music is a unique and innovative programme in jazz studies. For the first time the two traditional majors of performance and composition are combined with training in improvisation and pedagogy to create a totally new major area of jazz study. This ambitious and groundbreaking concept has never been applied to the field of jazz studies, or for that matter to any other area of jazz arts education.
 
The programme's philosophy and structure is the next logical step in the evolution of Jazz education and has been designed with an emphasis on the same freedoms of thought and expression that has made Jazz the unique art form it is today.
 
The Conservatorium van Amsterdam/MSM Summer Jazz Workshop gives Jazz musicians a chance to develop their art as scholars in a unique educational setting and also concentrates on career advancement through performance and networking opportunities not presently offered at other educational institutions.
 
Participants in the Summer Jazz Workshop program not only benefit from an innovative and comprehensive curriculum but also from direct access to the most advanced and current musical styles and trends emanating from a major urban artistic community. In addition to performances, sessions, and master classes under the direction of established master artists, the Workshop also provides performing experience at jazz clubs and festivals.
 
Our students are more than performers. In a sense, they will be missionaries, individuals who have not only achieved a great level of understanding in the field, but also possessing the ability to impart their knowledge and art in an effective and professional way.   

10.00 rotating improvisation class
11.30 Justion DiCioccio Bigband
11.30 Electives/Jazz Roundtable
12.30 Lunch Break
13.30 Concert Combo
15.00 Break
15.30 Instrument Master class
18.00 Break
21.00 Faculty Concert & Jam Session

A Summer Jazz Workshop programme embracing a broad spectrum of intensive study and performance in Jazz improvisation, composition and pedagogy. The Workshop brings together advanced musicians, who share a common interest in Jazz. The daily programnme offers instrumentalists an opportunity to improve their skills and broaden their experience through combos, Improvisation Ensembles with master coaches, combo and big band performances, composition/arranging classes, specialized master classes and seminars. 

Composition/Arranging
Emphasis will be on the study of arranging techniques, contemporary techniques in Jazz Composition, new contemporary media directions, and the development of one’s individual voice as a Jazz Composer.

Improvisation Ensembles
Small ensembles in playing class situation, allowing for discussion of concepts, relating to a variety of stylistic approaches to Rhythm, Change Playing and Free Form Improvisation. Styles examined and Jazz boundaries stretched. Performance of original compositions, arrangements and standard repertoire.

Master Classes (for all students)
This workshop will focus on developing individual music creativity and achieving an original Jazz Style. The Master Artist/Teacher will perform with students, dissect and critique their individual playing and group interaction.  Also suggest and demonstrate progress.

Evening Activities
1. Concert Performances of Combos and Big Band. Concert programmes to be developed out of compositions worked through and rehearsed in Improvisation Ensemble Classes, combos and big band. 
2. Jam Sessions.
3. Faculty Concerts.

The Jazz Roundtable
An opportunity for staff and students to discuss and cover a wide range of topics; including 'How To Swing and Groove!', History, Rhythm Analysis, Importance of the Blues, Composition, Orchestration, Careers, Business of Music, Aesthetics, Social Issues, Culture, Humanities, Pedagogy, etc.

Electives 2011

* Maarten van der Grinten
Cuddle your dimished chords

* John Riley
Rythmic Perspectives

* Dick Oatts
Practical Composition

* Yaniv Nachum
Playing out

* Ernst Glerum
All the things you are

* Justin DiCioccio
How to swing and groove