Jazz II Academy Session
August 6 - 18, 2012
About the Birch Creek Jazz II 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 II and Jazz I 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. It performs widely throughout Door County and is featured at numerous Birch Creek concerts. Audition required.
Seminars & Business Workshops
Provides role-playing experiences in different aspects of the music business.
For detailed admissions information, including AUDITION TAPE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUM AND SAXOPHONE APPLICANTS, go to the Admission 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: Phil Crews
Mr. Crews received both his bachelor's and master's degrees at VanderCook College of Music, Chicago, Ill. His successful band programs at Thornton High School and Rich High School have been recognized regionally and nationally. Mr. Crews also currently serves as director of the Prairie State Community Concert Band, and free-lances in the Chicago area. He is in demand as a guest conductor clinician.
Studio Band Director: Steve Sveum
Mr. Sveum teaches instrumental music at Sun Prairie High School (Wisconsin) where the jazz ensembles under his direction have repeatedly been selected as finalists in Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington jazz competitions. Mr. Sveum is in demand as an adjudicator and clinician at festivals throughout the United States.
Advanced Combo (Ambassadors) Director: Nic Meyer
Mr. Meyer is Director of Jazz Ensembles at New Trier High School, Winnetka, Ill., where he oversees a comprehensive jazz program. In January 2011, New Trier’s jazz ensemble traveled to New Orleans to perform at the second annual Jazz Education Network conference, and in February 2011 the New Trier Jazz Program hosted their 28th annual Frank Mantooth Jazz Festival with the Mingus Big Band as the featured ensemble. In addition to his busy teaching schedule, Nic is an in-demand saxophonist, appearing regularly at at venues in the Chicago jazz scene.
