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UIC 1st ANNUAL JAZZ ACADEMY
UIC 1st ANNUAL JAZZ ACADEMY
Date Posted: July 29 2009
Written By: chicago jazz
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Some of Chicago's most prominent jazz artists will instruct students in grades 5-12 during a one-week summer jazz program at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
In collaboration with Chicago Jazz Philharmonic‟s “Jazz Alive” arts education program, the 1st Annual “Chicago Jazz Philharmonic/UIC Jazz Academy” will take place July 27-31 from 8:30am to 5:00pm at UIC's Department of Performing Arts Bldg, 1040 W. Harrison Street in Chicago.
Led by well known jazz trumpeter, educator and artistic director Orbert Davis, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic is the windy city‟s first and only symphonic jazz orchestra, combining jazz and classical music to create a „new aesthetic.‟ Davis is also a professor of music at UIC, teaching jazz in its performing arts department.
“Building on Chicago Jazz Philharmonic's long-running "Jazz Alive" initiative, currently running in local Chicago Public Schools, students will participate in various ensembles that focus on jazz band performance, drum-line, strings and hand-chime” says Davis. “Additional courses will range from jazz aesthetics to instrumental music technique.”
"We're excited to have this wonderful program on campus," said Warren Chapman, Vice Chancellor for External Affairs.
"These students, besides learning jazz, will experience university life as they play in UIC's private practice rooms, rehearsal halls, and performance venues." Participating Chicago Public Schools include Dixon Elementary, CICS Avalon/South Shore, May Community Academy, McDowell Elementary, South Loop Elementary, UNO Charter School, Victor Herbert and Arthur Dixon Elementary Schools. Other area schools include Chicago‟s St. Edward Catholic School, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in Harvey, Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, Edison Middle School in Wheaton, Stuart R. Paddock School in Palatine, Beebe Elementary of Naperville, and Oswego‟s Bednarcik Junior High School.
“The Jazz Academy will assist in breaking down students' perceptions that they face barriers to higher education” explains Birdie Soti, Executive Director of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. “They will also learn life skills like goal setting, time management, teamwork, communication and positive interaction with their peers” she continues.
"The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic/UIC Jazz Academy helps resolve three critical issues: the lack of music education in schools, the need for underserved children to take an interest in higher education, and the need to preserve jazz for the next generation" Davis said.
“Jazz Academy students will also have a unique opportunity to perform during a culminating event at the close of the camp with Chicago Jazz Philharmonic's professional artists-in-residence, including Zvonimir Tot, Nicole Mitchell, Ari Brown, Ernie Adams, Stewart Miller, Diane Ellis and others” Davis concludes.
Only one hundred students were accepted to this first annual jazz camp. Others are waitlisted for future programs. The CJP/UIC Jazz Academy is sponsored in part by The Institute for Policy and
Civic Engagement (UIC) and The Chicago Community Trust.
For additional information, e-mail: jazzacademy@uic.edu
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