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 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
Taught by jazz educators specializing in middle school music instruction

Program Focus

Big band and small combo ensembles
Jazz improvisation
One private lesson
Instrumental and vocal master classes
Jazz theory and musicianship classes
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

2023 tuition: $2,370
2023 housing and meals for July 16 – 21: $990

2024 pricing TBA

Registration opens November 19

Vocal Programs Available

Giant Steps Package

Designed to meet the educational needs of middle school students, 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 grow even more through combo rehearsal and performance, as well as daily master classes, musicianship classes, and jazz theory classes.

Each student engages a variety of activities that emphasize the fundamentals of good musicianship while introducing concepts of jazz phrasing, articulation and improvisation. Daily master classes give students instruction on their own instruments or voice type, focusing on fundamentals such as good tone and technique. Each student will exercise their creativity through soloing and improvising in a small ensemble, and they’ll experience the excitement of large ensemble jazz, too. Special classes for vocalists and string instrumentalists introduce those students to the world of jazz.

Click for details about the Giant Steps Package

A typical day at Giant Steps Day Camp:

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

A typical day at Jazz Camp

9:20 Theory or Musicianship classes
10:30 Instrument-specific Masterclasses
12:00 Lunch; Noon concerts by faculty on Wednesday and Friday
1:00 Theory or Musicianship classes
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. Faculty Jam (optional)