hello-my son is a College Freshman in a very good school of music, doing a BA but lots of jazz performance, ensembles, etc. In prior summers he’s gone to Eastman School of Music, and then Jazz at Lincoln Center Summer Academy. He’s aged out of many summer programs which are geared to high school. He is starting to look into various things for summer like jobs, internships whether or not in music. He’ll look into gigs too. As far as some kind of jazz camp, the only programs I am aware of for an already in College level student in jazz are these: NYO (just realized deadline is tomorrow), Skidmore jazz institute, Aspen. If Berklee is an option he won’t do that–too long. thanks,
NYO Jazz has changed its eligibility to all High School (including homeschooled) students (age between 16-19) from 2020. So, college freshmen aren’t eligible. It’s a totally free 4-week program including South Africa tour.
Stanford Jazz Institute, CA (by audition) is for high school aged, college students and adults. Very expensive. Limited financial aid / scholarships are available if applied early.
Most bands on cruise ships are for musicians above age 21.
This is a great thread. My son is a college freshman jazz performance major. He has no idea what he’s doing this summer. I would love to hear what other 19 year old jazz performance majors are planning.
My son, a college jazz studies freshman (he will still be 18 in this summer) is going to try to work as a barista job to make money on top of local gigs. He isn’t interested in summer camp mentor jobs.
We won’t be able to pay for his summer programs if he is interested in any. He needs to apply for a financial aid / scholarship by himself. We will also tell him to repay some of federal student loans from his summer earning to make it as his habit. It can be a very important summer, not only relaxing and having fun.
Hi – another mom of a freshman jazz major here. My son did the Skidmore Jazz Institute last summer and raved about it. He had previously done Eastman and Berklee and thought Skidmore was the best.
@browniemom NYU Steinhardt has an auditioned summer jazz program that may work for your son. Here is the link to the program.
thanks both. These are pricey. I guess we have think further about that. They are good for connections I am sure but as far as instruction, now that he is in a College music program, he is already learning a lot already. Have to ponder this further.
My son is planning to practice a lot, gig locally, and work as a counselor at a local day camp. He’d definitely do a Music camp if the opportunity presented itself, but not if he had to pay. We know another kid who got a job at Hershey Park playing in their bands for the summer…great experience but doesn’t hone the jazz chops.
makes sense. We’re going to look at similar things and probably skip one of these pricey camps.
Stanford Jazz Institute is very good if you haven’t done it before. Faculty ranges from good to absolute spectacular. That said, depending on your skill level, particularly when it comes to improve soloing, your.mikeage may vary; specifically, if you are a highly skilled improviser when compared to other people at your same age/grade levels Stanford Jazz Institute may not be challenging enough; however, even if that’s true, you’ll see a lot and you’ll have fun.
I second Your Mileage May Vary at Stanford Jazz Institute, but also that the faculty list is amazing. Depending on skill level it’s a lot of $$$ for hit or miss re skill level of your cohort, even if you “audition” for the Honors Institute. Speaking from our experience with a jazz vocalist HS girl only.