Who is Eligible
Successful candidates for the Jazz Mentors program will be emerging
professional jazz instrumentalists, ages 18-25 who have an interest
in gaining teaching experience. The program is not designed
for those who are in or have completed a degree program related to
teaching or those with significant prior teaching experience. Candidates
must be accomplished players who can demonstrate a functional knowledge
of “straight ahead” jazz and should have the experience
and repertoire necessary for public performance. In
addition, Jazz Mentors candidates should:
- Be able to take direction from program staff and faculty members
- Be able to serve as positive role models to younger students
- Have the stamina to work long hours for a two-week period
- Be prepared to perform in a variety of concert and jam session settings
- Possess the communication skills and sensitivity to be able to function well within a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff
About Stanford Jazz Workshop and the Jazz Camp
Stanford Jazz Workshop (www.stanfordjazz.org), now in its 37th year, is an independent nonprofit organization that operates on the Stanford University campus
each summer. Its core programs include two weeks of Jazz
Camp (for ages 12-17), one week of Jazz Residency (for adults and
advanced youth), and the six-week Stanford Jazz Festival concert series.
The Jazz Camp accepts young instrumentalists (almost
any instrument) and vocalists. The curriculum focuses on
small-ensemble playing, with additional instruction in ear-training,
theory, and instrument-specific topics (master class). Student
skill levels range from beginning (at least 18 months experience)
to advanced. While most students are from Northern California,
there is also a significant contingent of out-of-state and international
students. The faculty numbers roughly 50 each week and is a diverse
group of established jazz players, experienced teachers, and emerging
professionals, with about half hailing from New York or areas other
than the San Francisco area. The 2008 faculty includes Wycliffe
Gordon, Geoffrey Keezer, Tootie Heath, Ndugu Chancler, Dena DeRose,
Andrew Speight, Ambrose Akinmusire, Tia Fuller, and Dayna Stephens.
See stanfordjazz.org/education/faculty.html for
a full list.
Details of the Jazz Mentors Program
Interns must commit to the full two-week program. During the
first week, interns will engage in team-teaching with more experienced
faculty members, with some time devoted to leading their own classes
and conducting private lessons. The second week of the program
will see interns taking on full teaching duties, which may include
leading (or co-leading) a combo, conducting a master class, teaching
ear-training, assisting in a theory class, and teaching lessons.
During the entire two weeks, interns will perform frequently at
the Stanford Coffee House jam session from ten to midnight and
may also perform in Stanford Jazz Festival concerts. The
program also includes opportunities for coaching and feedback on
both teaching and playing from various SJW faculty members.
Multi-Year Participation
Stanford Jazz Workshop seeks to maintain a group of 6-9 interns each
summer. Those who are invited back for the second year of the program
will have increased responsibility, acting ostensibly as full faculty
members. Participation in the first year of the program does
not guarantee an invitation to return for a second year.
Compensation
First year interns will receive a $500 per week stipend, in addition
to food and housing in Stanford University dormitories. Interns
are responsible for their own transportation to and from Stanford.
How
to Apply
Applicants must submit a cover letter, playing sample (see guidelines
below), current resume, and at least two references (with phone
and/or email contacts; no letters required). Materials can
be mailed to:
Stanford Jazz Workshop
Attn: Mentors Audition
PO Box 20454
Stanford, CA 94309
Or you can email your application (with mp3 audio file) to: mentors@stanfordjazz.org
Submissions must be postmarked/emailed by Friday, April 4, 2008.
Please provide your playing sample on a CD or email
an mp3 file. The recording should be clear and representative
of your sound and no longer than 15 minutes. Present the
head clearly and take the first solo. You want to get our attention
in the first 3 minutes of each song. We are interested in
hearing how well you are able to demonstrate facility and perform
expressively within the tradition of straight-ahead jazz. Please
submit the following samples in the order specified:
- A medium tempo blues
- A ballad of your choice from the standard jazz repertoire
- An up-tempo tune such as Moment’s Notice, Stablemates, Nica’s Dream, Cherokee, etc.
For More Information
If you have questions about
the Jazz Mentors program, please contact SJW’s Jazz Camp
Faculty Director, Rob Kohler, at rkohler@stanfordjazz.org or
by calling 650.736.0324 x302.
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