The Program
Since its inception in 1987, the highly acclaimed Skidmore Jazz Institute has become one of the premier summer programs to study jazz in the country. Directed by Todd Coolman, the Jazz Institute continues to provide a new generation of musicians the opportunity to mingle with and learn from gifted educators and world-class performers in an intimate and supportive environment. Previous students have successfully pursued jazz-related careers in the areas of performance, teaching, and business and include Kendrick Scott, Walter Smith, Richie Barshay, Jonathan Batiste, Brandon Lee, Christian Scott, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Ryan Cohan, and Myron Walden among others.
Students work closely with faculty in daily combo rehearsals and improvisational and special classes. Afternoon master classes offer the additional opportunity to have close contact with guest artists before seeing them perform in our evening concert series. On Friday afternoons the student combos (arranged according to instrument and level of ability) perform, and on the weekend everyone attends the Freihofer’s Jazz Festival at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Schedule
Sample Daily Schedule
8:30–10 a.m. Combo rehearsal
10:15–noon Lessons or practice
12:15 Lunch
1:30 p.m. Performance class or special topic
3 p.m. Master class with faculty member or guest artist
8 p.m. Guest artist or faculty sextet performance
New in 2013
Avid Pro Tools Workshop: This new workshop, offered during the two-week summer Institute, will give students a hands-on opportunity to learn a basic understanding of Avid Pro Tools, the preeminent recording software in the music industry. Students will participate in and observe the recording process and gain a better understanding of how editing and mixing techniques can be utilized to capture and enhance their music. These sessions, taught in the Zankel Music Center by John Nazarenko, Skidmore College Senior Artist-in-Residence, will show musicians how to use the latest recording techniques to promote themselves and further develop their compositions, arrangements, and musical skills.
Supplemental Activities
Concerts with Institute guest artists are scheduled during weekday evenings. Participants will attend Freihofer's Jazz Festival at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center the weekend of June 29–30.
Instrument Information
Participants are responsible for bringing their own instruments (this includes drums, acoustic bass, guitars) and any necessary equipment (amplifiers, extension cords, reeds). You will want to bring your Real Book, if you own one, and staff paper; music stands are provided. Bass players will find a wheel helpful.
If you are traveling to Saratoga Springs by air, please check with your airline to be aware of any flight restrictions concerning your instruments. Information on renting instruments locally will be provided closer to the start of the program.
Drummers
If you would like to ship your drums before arriving on campus, please contact Wendy Kercull (wkercull@skidmore.edu) to let her know when they will be arriving. They will be secured in your rehearsal space for you to unpack and set up upon arrival.
Please ship drums to:
Wendy Kercull Arthur Zankel Music Center Skidmore College 815 N. Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
The Setting
Program participants who live on Skidmore’s campus will be housed in one of the College’s residence halls. Dormitory rooms are spacious and feature free Internet access and cable television. The dining hall offers a nutritionally balanced menu with ample vegetarian options. Participants will have use of the College’s library, swimming pool, weight and fitness rooms, lighted tennis courts, track, and North Woods hiking trails. Instructional activities take place in the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
Jazz students under age 18 are supervised by a qualified residential staff. Basic health services are provided by the College, and residential participants will be expected to have an up-to-date physical and complete the required health forms.
