<p>Hello, I posted a while ago about my to be 15 yr. old classical/rock guitarist and our tentative search into music schools. My son had no interest in jazz a few months ago, but went to Mexico to study classical guitar this summer with a fella who tried to combine classical guitar with a jazz style (I still have yet to really rap my brain around that), but now my son is much more willing to explore the possibilities. So, I guess it seeps in slowly! So, we live in the far suburbs of Chicago and are now looking into jazz CAMPS for him this summer so as to expose him more. Has anyone experience with the jazz camp through NIU? How about Illinois Summer Music in Urbana? I spoke with someone from NIU who assured me that although he has no jazz training (other than a few chords and progressions), since he is proficient on classical and studies theory he would be fine.</p>
<p>You might want to consider Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. Highly regarded summer music programs for high school students, including two jazz sessions.</p>
<p>Berklee has a 5-week program in Boston for the summer that my daughter went to a few years ago. He can write to the scholarship office to request consideration for a scholarship if the $'s are a reach … with a few good rec’s and a serious letter of intent scholarships are definitely possible. The nice thing about it is that he can be exposed to some jazz opportunities, but not lose sight of the other skills/interest in classical/rock.</p>
<p>My son had a great experience with the two week Eastman summer jazz program. Made friends/contacts he still has in his second year of college/conservatory!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your responses.
I’m concerned though about his level of jazz ability for the camps some of you have recommended. I don’t want to overwhelm him (or pay for an audition he would be less than reasonably prepared to do well in ) his first timeout. This would also be his first time away from home, so I think a week would be best. I guess what I’m looking for is a camp that would wet his appetite for jazz more than press to master it.
I wish classical guitar camps were more prevalent. We have Northwestern’s camp locally, but I can’t think of others close to home. He is much more comfortable with classical right now, despite his curiosity about jazz. I’m wondering if the turn to jazz study is in response to this?</p>
<p>There are some threads on this forum with information on jazz camps, and I’m sure someone will provide a link. As long as you focus on the camps that do not require an audition for admission, you can be assured that there will be a wide range of abilities represented at the camp. There will be an audition upon arrival to group players according to similar ability, but there will be everything from beginner to advanced. Examples of one-week camps of that nature include Jamey Aebersold and UNT Jazz Combo camps, though there are lots more. The downside of the camps with such a range of ability may be less individual attention. If you check the February or March (I can’t remember which) issues of JazzTimes and Downbeat magazines, they will feature a comprehensive listing of jazz camps.</p>
<p>Florida State University has a one week summer camp that is great. I attended a performing arts high school and had many friends who attended. The levels vary greatly and the kids are separated into combos based on their level, so there is no pressure being paired with a prodigy and feeling like you can’t keep up. Having worked with and talked to the FSU jazz staff on many occasions, I can assure you that they are very reasonable and extremely talented both in teaching and playing.</p>
<p>The Stanford Jazz Workshop is non-audition and has all levels of both playing and jazz, from beginning all the way to insanely good. The students are placed into an ensemble on the first day depending on skill level and age. They have amazing guest teachers (the best of the best) to inspire them, and the kids stay in the Stanford dorms. Kids can do one week, or stay for both weeks (they can also move up to a new ensemble after a week). Both my sons enjoyed this program.</p>
<p>A near-to-you and non-audition option that seems to fit your criteria might be the Aquinas College Jazz Camp in Grand Rapids, MI - here’s the link [Aquinas</a> College :: Music](<a href=“Page not found | Aquinas College”>Page not found | Aquinas College). Wide range of skill but very strong locals lead this week-long camp. Also geographically close to you would be Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp - (auditions are for scholarship but don’t think necessarily for admittance but I might be wrong). Fun-oriented in pastoral setting near Twin Lake, Mich (west, just north of Muskegon). Their summer programs run more like 10 days - 2 weeks, I believe. Many high level students there, but also room for exploration and “catch up” – eg. if he’s not as proficient in jazz yet, he’d merely play with younger players. Here’s the link [Blue</a> Lake Fine Arts Camp](<a href=“http://www.bluelake.org/]Blue”>http://www.bluelake.org/)</p>
<p>We have decided to stick with classical for now, even though he shows a slight interest in jazz. I called NHSI today and they are still considering a classical camp this year. We may also be going to Brazil (family) and may something there.</p>