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When we picked our son up, he said ‘I was among giants’ and was very excited by the professional level of the musicians he
met during the week.
~ Jazz Camp parent

For middle school students

Prerequisite: 12 months classroom or private instruction

July 8 – 12 and July 14 – 19, 2024

Stanford University Campus
Housing and meal plan option available for the July 14 – 19 portion. No housing available for July 8 – 12 portion.

Program Highlights

  • Includes Giant Steps Day Camp and one week of Jazz Camp
  • For instrumentalists and vocalists

Program Focus

  • Big band and small combo ensembles
  • Jazz improvisation
  • One private lesson
  • Instrumental and vocal masterclasses
  • Jazz theory and musicianship
  • Free admission to Stanford Jazz Festival concerts
  • Fun outdoor sports and social activities
  • Showcase performances on Friday, July 12 and on Friday, July 21
  • Family dinner on Friday, July 19
TUITION: $2,445

HOUSING AND MEALS
FOR JULY 16 – 21: $995

Sign up now!

Giant Steps Package

Designed for middle school musicians who want a more immersive experience, the Giant Steps Package includes two great weeks of jazz immersion: Giant Steps Day Camp and one week of Jazz Camp. Giant Steps Day Camp offers a fun introduction to jazz and improvisation for middle school vocalists and instrumentalists. Jazz Camp gives young jazz musicians a chance to develop their new skills through combo rehearsal and performance, as well as daily master classes, musicianship classes, and jazz theory classes.

Each student engages in a variety of activities that emphasize the fundamentals of good musicianship while introducing concepts of jazz phrasing, articulation, vocabulary, and improvisation. Daily master classes give students instruction on their own instruments or voice type, focusing on fundamentals such as good tone production and technique. 

Students exercise their creativity through soloing and improvising in small and large ensembles. Dedicated classes for vocalists and string instrumentalists introduce those students to the world of jazz and provide repertoire that’s unique and tailored to their instrument or voice.

A typical day at Giant Steps Day Camp

9:00 a.m. All-camp meeting
9:30 a.m. Masterclass and music theory
10:15 a.m. Ensemble period 1, either small or large band
11:45 a.m. Lunch and outdoor activities
12:45 p.m. Faculty band concert
1:30 p.m. Ensemble period 2, either small or large band
3:00 p.m. End of the day; late pick up activities are available as an option

A typical day at Jazz Camp

9:00 a.m. All-camp morning meeting

9:20 a.m. Theory or musicianship

10:30 a.m. Instrument-specific of vocal masterclasses

12:00 Lunch; noon concerts by faculty on Wednesday and Friday

1:00 p.m. Theory or musicianship

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Combo rehearsals and afternoon classes

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Dorm resident daily check-in

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Jam session (optional)

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Counselor-led sports (optional)

5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Private lessons, Stanford Jazz Festival concerts, dorm dance, s’mores cooking, or other counselor-led activities

10:00 p.m. CoHo Jam for faculty artists (optional)

Faculty

Important Information: click icons below to learn how to prepare for camp

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Giant Steps Day Camp