Jazz Academy

Courses | Faculty | Registration Information | Directions | Vision

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the history of jazz — or how to listen to it more effectively? Have you ever wanted to try your hand (or voice) at performing? Did you once play an instrument that you'd like to pick up again?

The enjoyment of any art form is enhanced with a "hands-on" experience...and that's just what our Jazz Academy pilot program will provide.

Summer 2008

"No Charts!" Ensemble for Middle and High School Students
July 14 - 18, 2008, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Instructor: Jay Miglia
Location: Fort Hayes High School, Shot Tower, Lower Level
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Class Fee: $90.00 / $80.00 for current CJO Subscribers


Leave your reading glasses at home! The "No Charts" Jazz Ensemble is all about using your ears! This course is designed to introduce students to playing their instruments by ear, an experience that will open new avenues of creativity for every participant. Every day the class meets we will memorize a simple tune or two and improvise without reading notes and worrying too much about jazz theory. It's time to get off the page and into the music! The band is open to students entering middle through high school who play "Big Band" instruments: alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, trumpet, trombone, guitar and bass guitar, piano/keyboard, vibes and drum set.

Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz
Monday - Thursday, June 23 - 26, 9:00am - 12pm
Instructor: Ben Huntoon
Location: Stanton's Music, 330 S. 4th Street, Columbus, OH 43215- free parking at Stanton's Sheet Music for attendees
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 16, 2008
Class Fee: $115.00 (includes admission to Columbus Music Hall - Fees for undergraduate and graduate level credit must be submitted separately at the time of registration).
Text: Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz, by Wynton Marsalis, Ronald Carter, Ron McCurdy, Reginald Thomas, and Ron Modell; compiled and edited by Richard Miles and Ronald Carter, catalog # - G7268, $43.95, available for purchase at Stanton's Sheet Music

Undergraduate level credit (1 semester hours) is available through Capital University at an additional cost of $50. Please make a separate check payable to Capital University and bring it with you the morning of June 23.

Graduate level credit (1 semester hours) is available through Capital University at an additional cost of $150. Please make a separate check payable to Capital University and bring it with you the morning of June 23.

Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz is a significant new resource containing valuable information for the most experienced to novice music educator. Utilizing this text as a basis for coursework, participants will engage discussions of music/jazz theory and history as well as analyze and rehearse jazz band arrangements. Through discussion, lecture and involvement, participants will discover learning and teaching opportunities that exist when creating lesson plans for individual jazz band programs. Guest speakers will include Vaughn Wiester, Columbus-based trombonist, arranger and leader of the Famous Jazz Orchestra. Students registering for graduate level CEU credit will be required to submit a lesson plan based on the coursework, due by Monday, July 7, 2008s. The lesson plan content and format will be discussed more fully the first day of class.

Focus On Jazz - In Depth Teacher Training Workshop
Fridays, June 6, 13 & 20, 9am - 12pm
Instructor: Bradley Sowash
Location: Capital University Piano Lab, Room TBD
Registration Deadline: Monday, May 26, 2008
Class Fee: $150.00 / $140.00 for current CJO Subscribers

Text: That's Jazz, Getting Into It, by Bradley Sowash included in course fee

This three session workshop is designed specifically for traditional studio piano teachers who have some or no experience with jazz or blues but would like to integrate these styles into their teaching and playing. Through lecture, demonstration, written example, and hands-on experience, participants will learn how to integrate a teaching approach that involves personal expression, improvisation and the applied knowledge of music theory.

July Jams
July 13, 20 & 27, 3:00 - 5:00pm
Location: Cup o' Joe Patio, Lennox Town Center
Class Fee: $5.00


The "jam session" is a place where jazz musicians get together to play and gain a better understanding of the language of jazz in a public setting. Try out new techniques, play tunes you are learning, and explore your improvisational chops with other musicians, supportive listeners and encouraging peers.
July Jams is an opportunity for aspiring musicians to gather together to play, learn, experiment and explore jazz and improvisation. Middle and high school musicians of all levels and abilities are welcome to participate in July Jams at the Cup o' Joe Patio at Lennox Town Center from 3:00 - 5:00pm, July 13, 20 and 27. There is a $5.00 registration fee and advance registration is requested but not required. Registration for July Jams is NOT AVAILABLE through the website. Contact Carol Argiro at 294-5200 X107 or email to register.

A rhythm section (keyboard, bass and drum set) will be available for use and to facilitate July Jams. Participants are encouraged to have at least one "jazz standard" prepared to play. A blues is recommended, but other tunes include: Blue Bossa (C minor), Now's the Time (F major), There is No Greater Love (B flat major), Watermelon Man (F major), What is This Thing Called Love? (C major), or Satin Doll (C major).

July Jams, a program of the Jazz Academy, is made possible through the generosity of Jim Arter, Elwood Lewis, Jan and Jim Barns and Cup o' Joe/Stauff's.

Creative Strings Youth Workshop with Christian Howes
Monday - Friday, June 30 - July 4, 2008
Instructor: Christian Howes
Location: Otterbein College, Westerville, Room TBD

The Jazz Academy is proud to partner with Christian Howes and the Creative Strings Youth Workshop. The Creative Strings Youth Workshop is an opportunity for string players of any age to experiment and explore improvisational-based music and performance. All string players in middle and high school are welcome - the only criterion for participation is that the student be able to read notated music at the high school level. Space is limited.

The Creative Strings Youth Workshop will be held at Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio. The cost for the week-long workshop is $149.00.

Locally, the Creative Strings Youth Workshop is supported by Jazz Arts Group's Jazz Academy and The Loft Violin Shop.

For more information, contact Carol Argiro, Jazz Academy Director at 614.294.5200 x107