Welcome to the Facebook home of the Metro-Detroit Jazz Workshop. The centerpiece of the MDJW is the Summer Jazz Week. The SJW is an opportunity for students of jazz music, young or old, on any instrument, to receive expert tutelage from some of the best jazz educators in the Midwest. Since 2009, the SJW has offered a unique approach to jazz workshops, giving students a chance to select their own c
lasses in the subjects of jazz theory, jazz composition & arranging, and jazz improvisation. Students may select subjects that fit their level of expertise as well as participate in combos. The SJW is currently held at Oakland University at Varner Hall and is run from 10am to 5pm. Combos perform daily during the week, under the coaching of college jazz professors, with the goal of a performance at Cliff Bells Jazz Club. Jazz vocalists also participate, partially taking the same classes that instrumentalists take, and in the mid-afternoon, going to the MDJW Vocal Jazz workshop. Their workshop concentrates on solo jazz singing, technique, improv, repertoire and other matters about jazz from a singer's point of view. Vocalists will perform in their own concert at Cliff Bells, backed up by a professional rhythm section. Jazz composers may choose to take part in the Composer's Workshop. This is an ensemble of composers who play each other's compositions under the direction of an established jazz composer. Concepts of orchestration, counterpoint, harmony, arranging, will be discussed and applied as an effort to help composers become better at their craft. If your son or daughter is in middle school, we also have a workshop for 10-13 year olds in middle school to help them understand jazz and either contribute better to their middle school jazz band or prepare themselves for high school jazz band. This workshop runs for the week from 10am to 1pm daily. There will be a performance at Cliff Bells for the workshop participants. The fee for enrolling for this workshop is $399. This modest charge enables you to study with over 10 instructors for over 50 hours, making your studies cost $8 an hour. There is an additional $50 reservation cost to reserve your spot. The full tuition isn't due until the first day of the workshop, but you must pay the reservation cost immediately to make sure you can enroll in this year's workshop. You can do so with an e-application on the website for the Metro-Detroit Jazz Workshop at www.helpwithjazz.com
The website, besides containing enrollment applications, has faculty bios, photos from last year's workshop, details about the SJW, a video promotion, and recent news about this year's workshop. Whether you play the bassoon or the tenor sax, whether you are 10 or 100 years old, whether you just started playing or are a veteran pro, there is room for you to grow at this year's Summer Jazz Week. Come join us, network with other musicians, and have a week of great fun! Scott Gwinnell
Director, Metro-Detroit Jazz Workshop
