The Department of Music offers enrichment programs for students and teachers each summer. Student camps this summer include:
Jazz Camp
Jazz Camp; a Rhythm Section Intensive
July 12-16, 2021
9 a.m.—1:30 p.m.
Webster University, well known for its innovative jazz studies program and the "Jazz@Webster" concert series, is hosting a summer jazz camp at its Webster Groves campus. This summer, the focus of the camp will be on the jazz rhythm section.
This week-long “Rhythm Section Intensive” will provide pianists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers the opportunity to receive in-depth training as rhythm section players and as improvising soloists. Participants will study with some of our area’s best-known performers and educators in masterclasses, combo rehearsals, and improvisation classes. We will not be accepting registrations from wind players at this year’s camp.
The camp is for beginning, intermediate and advanced level jazz improvisers and instrumentalists. Music reading skills are necessary for participation in classes and ensembles.
When and Where: The camp begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 12 in the recital hall of the Thompson Music Building, 8282 Big Bend (at the southeast corner of Edgar Road and Big Bend Blvd.). Upon arrival, a faculty member will walk students to the Public Safety Office for a health check-in, and then to their first class.
The camp ends Friday, July 16.
Instruments: Please bring your instruments with you. If you will be playing drums, please bring your drum kit. Guitarists and bassists need to bring an amplifier. Storage will be provided. Unload all drum equipment and amplifiers at the side door of the west side of the Thompson Music Building.
Lunch: Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch with them each day. Several fast food restaurants are within walking distance in the Old Orchard area of Webster Groves.
At this summer’s “Rhythm Section Intensive,” we are accepting registrations from 8 pianists, 8 guitarists, 8 bassists, and 8 drummers. Our maximum total camp enrollment will be 32 students. Please note, piano registrations are now closed.
Applicants who will be high school freshmen in the fall of 2021 must submit a letter of recommendation from their primary music instructor in order to be admitted. Younger students must wait until they are entering the freshman year of high school to attend the camp. Please send recommendation letters to:
Paul DeMarinis
Director of Jazz Studies
Webster University
470 East Lockwood Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63119
Fees and Deposits: The enrollment fee for the camp is $220. To ensure enrollment, a nonrefundable deposit of $35 must be made by Friday, July 9. The balance of the fee ($185) is to be paid on Monday, July 12.
The St. Louis Jazz Club provides a limited number of scholarships to the Webster Summer Jazz Camp. Primary music instructors of students who may need financial assistance to attend this year's camp should contact Paul DeMarinis at 314-968-7039.
A 15-minute “air-out” interval will occur between each use of a room.
8:30 a.m. All students convene on the southeast side of the Community Music School Building where a faculty member will walk them to the nearby Public Safety Office for check-in, and will walk them to their first class.
9-9:45 a.m. Jazz Master Classes
10-10:45 a.m. Combo Rehearsals
11-11:45 a.m. Jazz Improvisation Classes
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Lunch
12:45-1:30 p.m. Combo Rehearsals
1:30 p.m. Dismissal
Paul DeMarinis
Jazz Camp Director
Kim Portnoy
Piano
Carolbeth True
Piano
Carol Schmidt
Piano
Dave Black
Guitar
Tom Byrne
Guitar
Ric Vice
Bass
Willem Von Hombracht
Bass
Ben Wheeler
Bass
Kevin Gianino
Drums
Nick Savage
Drums
For more information about Jazz Camp, please contact Paul DeMarinis.
Summer at CMS
The Community Music School also offers a wealth and variety of additional summer camps for students, including camps for flautists, composers, string players, chamber musicians, and a summer band camp. In addition, CMS provides private applied instruction on the full range of band and orchestral instruments, plus piano and voice.