Jazz Camp Teaches Musicians of All Ages

Who: Beginner to advanced music students age 13 and older -including adults- with a minimum of one year of study on their instrument

What: University of Missouri - St. Louis
College of Fine Arts & Communication Presents
4th Annual Jazz Combo / Improv / Jazz Vocal Camp

When: Sunday, July 16 - Friday, July 21

Where: University of Missouri - St. Louis
J.C. Penney Conference Center
One University Blvd. (8001 Natural Bridge Road)
St. Louis, MO 63121

Why: Music instruction with world-class jazz musicians; jazz improv, combo, vocals; master, theory and specialized classes; jam sessions; and concerts

Tuition: $299 / person, Room/Board: $140 / person

INFO: Contact Ann Larsen at (314) 516-5948 or email [email protected]. You can also visit http://www.umsl.edu/~conted/ and click on Jazz Camp

St. Louis, July 5 - The University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL) College of Fine Arts & Communication presents its 4th Annual Jazz Combo / Improv / Jazz Vocal Camp from July 16-21 located on its university campus. Music students 13 years of age or older - including adults - with a least one year of study on their instrument will learn from world-class artists. The camp offers improv, combo playing, and vocals; jazz theory and instrumental master classes; jam sessions and daily concerts; and faculty artist instruction in specialized classes.

Led by Jim Widner, the UMSL Jazz Camp is different. “We bring in several accomplished music instructors/artists from outside the area, and mix them with our jazz faculty," Widner said. This year the camp faculty consists of Jim Widner, Mike Metheny, Dave Pietro, Wayne Coniglio, Gloria Cooper, Ken Kehner, Miles Vandiver and more. Year after year students return. According to Widner, “the camps are also beginning to draw a contingency of adults (doctors, lawyers, teachers) who used to play years ago and still want to improve."

A jazz camp guru, Jim Widner celebrates his 19th year overall hosting jazz camps branded in his name. Well-known as a bass player and UMSL Artist-in-Residence, Widner is an alumnus of the Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, and Glenn Miller big bands. For nine years, Jim taught as a staff clinician with the Stan Kenton “Jazz Orchestra in Residence" Programs, and he served as a guest conductor for numerous all-state jazz bands. Widner has toured the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Jazz Camp will be held at the J.C. Penney Conference Center at University of Missouri - St. Louis, One University Blvd. (8001 Natural Bridge Road). On Sunday, July 16, the camp begins with registration and auditions from 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, July 17-21, the camp runs from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The final concert will be held in the Lee Theater at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 21. The $299 tuition fee includes instruction, master classes, concerts, and lunches. On campus room and board are $140 for the week.

For information and to register, contact Ann Larsen at (314) 516-5948 or [email protected]. Walk-ins are welcome and a limited number of scholarships are still available.