Jazz I Academy Session
July 23 - August 4, 2012
About the Birch Creek Jazz I Program
Birch Creek's Jazz program offers students a unique learning experience at levels of jazz performance not found in most other jazz programs in America. Our program gives students an effective combination of experiences to help them master the fundamentals of jazz while establishing professional attitudes by playing side-by-side with some of today's top performers and educators.
The only differences between the Jazz I and Jazz II sessions are the dates and the faculty. The curriculum and performance opportunities are the same, and both sessions are under the guidance of Program Director Jeff Campbell.
Areas of Study
Instrumental Technique
Classes are given by master teachers three times per week and cover the fundamentals of effective playing skills and efficient practice.
Jazz Combo
Classes cover improvisation skills from basic to advanced. Performance opportunities are provided.
Jazz Performance Workshops
Workshops incorporate music theory and improvisation into the Combo rehearsals and use repertoire from the Combo as curricular material for study.
Large Ensembles
Directed by outstanding professional educators. Ensembles rehearse daily and perform regularly during the evening concerts. Audition required.
Advanced Student Combo
Made up of advanced students and serves as Birch Creek's ambassador to the community. This combo performs widely throughout Door County and is featured at numerous Birch Creek concerts. Audition required.
Seminars & Business Workshops
Provide role-playing experiences in different aspects of the music business.
Detailed admissions information, including AUDITION RECORDING REQUIREMENTS, can be found on the Application Procedure page.
Program Director and Academy Band Director: Jeffrey Campbell
Associate Professor of Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media, Collegiate Instructor in Jazz Double Bass and Jazz Combo & Improvisation, Eastman School of Music, Rochester, N.Y.
Lab Band Director: Gil Wukitsch
Mr. Wukitsch is active around the Chicago area as a clinician and trumpet player and has performed with artists such as Clark Terry, Harold Jones and The Manhattan Transfer.
Studio Band Director: Jim Stombres
Mr. Stombres is band director at St. Charles North High School, St. Charles, Ill. He has been guest director at many state festivals, and has taught at the University of Illinois summer youth music camp.
Advanced Combo (Ambassadors) Director: Marty Robinson
Dr. Robinson is Associate Professor of Jazz and Trumpet at the University of Wisconsin-
Oshkosh, where he directs the jazz ensembles and teaches jazz history in addition to applied trumpet. He holds degrees from Lawrence University, the Eastman School of Music, and Florida State University. Dr. Robinson has 80 published jazz compositions and arrangements to his credit.
