Code of Conduct
Updated November 16, 2023
Stanford Jazz Workshop Safety Guidelines
The safety and comfort of participants are of the utmost importance to Stanford Jazz Workshop. To help ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, please observe the following guidelines:
- Safety first: If you sense a threat to your safety or the safety of others, notify a staff or faculty member immediately. In an emergency, call 911.
- If you have a problem, talk to your teacher or come to the SJW office, which will be in Braun Music Center, Room 232B, on the Stanford campus. If you have a problem with a teacher, talk to a staff member at the SJW main office.
- After dark, walk in groups on well-lighted pathways. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid talking on cell phones or listening to headphones while walking.
- Participants ages 17 adn under are expected to remain on the Stanford University campus while SJW classes are in session.
- Stanford Jazz Workshop will not be responsible for minor participants who are not dorm residents after the end of daily classes.
COMMUNITY CONDUCT GUIDELINES
The following conduct guidelines must be observed in order to maintain an environment conducive to learning and enjoyment:
- Conflicts must be resolved in a peaceful and orderly manner; fighting is grounds for immediate dismissal from SJW programs.
- Non-emergency cell phone use is not permitted in class; all devices must be set to silent mode or turned off while participants are in classes and performances.
- Faculty and staff are to be respected, just as participants are to respect each other.
STANFORD JAZZ WORKSHOP POLICIES FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS
Any participant may be dismissed for any of the following reasons:
- Stealing or vandalizing property
- Possessing weapons or illicit drugs of any kind
- Bullying, hazing, or sexual harassment
- Viewing pornography or any inappropriate material on the internet
- Using inappropriate language: swearing, slurs, insults, etc.
- Undermining or threatening the safety or well-being of themselves or others
- Possessing or use of tobacco or alcohol
SJW PARTICIPANT CODE OF CONDUCT
SJW has the right to dismiss any individual from a program if their actions or attitudes are deemed detrimental as set forth in the sets of guidelines above. There shall be no refunds issued in the case of such dismissal.
Office Hours
Updated: November 16, 2023
Main office phone: 650-736-0324
During Giant Steps Day Camp, the Stanford Jazz Workshop office is open from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
During Jazz Camp, Jazz Institute, and the 2-week packages, the SJW office in room 232B in Braun Music Center is open Sunday through Friday (closed Saturdays) during the following hours:
Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Monday 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
How to Prepare
Giant Steps Day Camp
The entire experience was wonderful! She had a great time learning music and making new friends. Thank you!
~ Giant Steps Day Camp parent
Giant Steps Day Camp
Thissummer day program is perfect for young musicians who are curious about jazz as well as those who have played some jazz in school or with their private teacher. Directed by educators who specialize in middle school jazz education, Giant Steps Day Camp is packed with musical activities that develop creativity, emphasize good instrumental and vocal skills, and build a solid foundation in jazz styles — an excellent preparation for playing in your school big band or combo!
Each young musician will be involved in 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 good tone production and technique.
All the campers exercise their creativity through soloing and improvising in a small ensemble, and they’ll experience the excitement of large ensemble jazz, too — every day of camp!
Giant Steps Day Camp is open to all instruments, including violin, flute, cello, clarinet, guitar, piano, and voice — as well as the common jazz instruments such as saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass, and drums. It’s the perfect place to learn and improve while meeting like-minded young musicians from all around the Bay Area.
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!
Giant Steps Big Band
My daughter said all the teachers are amazing, super supportive of students learning jazz for the first time.
~ Jazz Camp parent
Giant Steps Big Band
Directed by some of the top middle school jazz educators in the Bay Area, the Giant Steps Big Bands offer an exciting way for young musicians to improve their jazz skills faster than they ever thought could be possible!
Each band meets weekly to work on fun jazz tunes, to learn to perform jazz styles, to improve instrumental skills, and to learn how to improvise. During each rehearsal, students receive master classes from SJW faculty members with expertise on their instruments.
Giant Steps Big Bands perform at least once per semester.
The Giant Steps Big Band program continues through the fall and spring semesters, so participants commit to the band for the entire school year. There is an additional registration process for the spring.
Subject to full enrollment, we’re planning to offer two Giant Steps Big Bands this fall, with rehearsal dates to be announced soon.
Giant Steps Big Band North, directed by Dave Gregoric at Mills High School, Millbrae
Giant Steps Big Band South, directed by John Burn at Homestead High School, Cupertino
Scroll down for videos, program details, and faculty for all three of our Giant Steps Big Bands!
Faculty
Important information and policies
Jazz Camp
Jazz Camp
AtJazz Camp, you’ll get lots of playing time with young musicians who share your level of experience, whether you’ve been playing jazz for years, or you’ve never played jazz at all. You’ll have close contact with some of the best jazz artists and educators in the world in a fun, focused, and supportive environment. You’ll play in a small combo every day, so you’ll get a lot of experience taking solos and having a musical leadership role in a band.
Our highly structured curriculum is tailored to your needs and level of experience. You’ll deepen your mastery of your instrument, and learn a lot about improvisation. Our faculty artists are experts at helping you understand jazz harmony, and how to apply it to your playing.
You’ll meet musicians from around the world, and make friendships that will last a lifetime. The SJW community is one of the most supportive and encouraging circles of artists, educators, and students in the business, and you’ll become a part of it.
Your family and friends can hear how you’ve improved at the free Showcase, held on Friday of each week of Jazz Camp.
Jazz Camp Classes and Activities:
- Jazz Theory – focuses on harmony, song forms, scales, and advanced concepts
- Musicianship – focuses on ear training and rhythm exercises
- Masterclass – virtuoso faculty members teach advanced techniques
- Special presentations and demonstrations – SJW faculty relate their experiences as leading artists in jazz, perform live demonstrations, and answer questions about what it’s like to study, perform, compose, and live a life in jazz
- Small ensembles / combos – daily rehearsals in small combos directed by faculty artists
- Private lessons – every student receives a private lesson with SJW faculty
- Jam sessions – fun, optional playing sessions with other students
- Afternoon free time – relax, practice or take part in the talent show, dorm dance, ice cream social, sports, arts and crafts, and jam sessions.
Jazz Camp Vocal Program
Jazz Camp Vocal Program
Fun introduction to jazz singing, with singers from all over the country! Taught be some of the top vocal jazz artists in the Bay Area and beyond, the Jazz Camp vocal program will give you lots of experience singing solo with a professional piano trio, scat singing, and singing in a jazz vocal ensemble — as well as a solid grounding in singing fundamentals.
Jazz Camp Vocal Program Classes and Activities:
- Jazz theory – focuses on harmony, song forms, scales, and advanced concepts
- Musicianship – focuses on ear training and rhythm exercises
- Masterclass – virtuoso faculty members teach advanced techniques
- Solo singing instruction & improvisation – daily rehearsals with a professional faculty piano trio directed by vocal faculty
- Private lessons – every student receives a private lesson with SJW faculty
- Jam sessions – fun, optional playing sessions with other instrumentalist students
- Afternoon free time – relax, practice or take part in the talent show, dorm dance, ice cream social, sports, arts and crafts, and jam sessions.
Faculty
Jazz Camp Package
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
Jazz Camp Package
TheJazz Camp Package provides 13 days of continuous jazz instruction guided by a rigorous and progressive curriculum. Your schedule will be customized to your needs and skills, and as you move into the second week of camp, your classes will be more challenging. You’ll play with peers and study with a prestigious faculty of professional musicians and educators, so you’ll improve more rapidly than you ever thought possible.
The Jazz Camp Package includes masterclasses, small ensemble playing, and two private lessons, as well as classes in theory and musicianship. You’ll have engaging classes on Saturday between the first and second week, as well as admission to the Stanford Jazz Festival concert on Saturday night. And you’ll get to play in two Friday night Showcases.
Jazz Camp Package Classes and Activities:
- Jazz theory – focuses on harmony, song forms, scales, and advanced concepts
- Musicianship – focuses on ear training and rhythm exercises
- Masterclass – virtuosi faculty members teach strong fundamentals and advanced techniques
- Special presentations and demonstrations – SJW faculty relate their experiences as leading artists in jazz, perform live demonstrations, and answer questions about what it’s like to study, perform, compose, and live a life in jazz
- Small ensembles / combos – daily rehearsals in small combos directed by faculty artists
- Private lessons – every student receives a private lesson with SJW faculty
- Jam sessions – fun, optional playing sessions with other students and faculty
- Free time – relax, practice or take part in the talent show, dorm dance, ice cream social, sports, arts and crafts, and jam sessions.
A typical day at Jazz Camp
- 9:00 a.m. All-camp morning meeting
- 9:20 a.m. Theory or musicianship classes
- 10:30 a.m. Instrument-specific Masterclasses
- 12:00 Lunch; noon concerts by faculty on Wednesday and Friday
- 1:00 p.m. 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. CoHo Jam with faculty (optional)
Faculty
Jazz Institute
My favorite thing? Direct one-on-one teaching, exactly where I need to be taught and challenged in my artistic endeavors.
~ Jazz Institute participant
Jazz Institute
AtJazz Institute, you’ll have a six-day intensive interaction with jazz legends, top professionals, gifted educators, and motivated students from around the world. You choose your own classes from a curriculum that includes masterclasses, theory, musicianship, arranging, and more. Unique to the Jazz Institute are the Special Presentations given by artist faculty on topics in which they specialize or have particular experience — imagine your favorite jazz artists telling you the secrets of their musical success! Every night, you can go to the Stanford Jazz Festival concert, the student jam sessions, and the CoHo Jam featuring some of the top artists in the world.
Ideal for adult jazz players at all levels, Jazz Institute provides a high-quality introduction to improvisation — you don’t need to have any previous experience with jazz at all. Intermediate and advanced musicians and professionals will be challenged and encouraged to improve by our amazing faculty artists. Jazz Institute is also perfect for musicians skilled in other musical genres looking to gain experience in jazz, as well as music educators who want to hone their jazz skills for teaching and performance. It’s the perfect place for anyone looking to reconnect with music.
Jazz Institute is also open to young musicians with advanced jazz skills. SJW’s inter-generational approach gives unparalleled access to some of the greatest jazz musicians in the world, so young players can learn directly from living legends, touring artists, and recording pros.
Classes, combos, and other activities will mix participants of all ages, which enhances the learning experience for all.
Ben Williams
Tivon Pennicott
Matthew Stevens
Or Bareket
Dave Douglas
Kris Davis
George Cables
Obed Calvaire
Camila Meza
Dena DeRose
Caroline Davis
Taylor Eigsti
Marcus Shelby
Steven Lugerner
Patrick Wolff
Randy Porter
Sylvia Cuenca
Edward Simon
Victor Lin
Matt Wilson
Maya Kronfeld
Michael Mitchell
Tomoko Funaki
Bennett Paster
Rob Kohler
Jazz Institute Vocal Program
“The vocal program rocked my world. I learned so much my head is spinning!”
~ Vocal Institute Participant
Jazz Institute Vocal Program
The Jazz Institute Vocal Program is a joyous week designed for amateur and professional-level adult singers, and highly advanced young singers. The program focuses primarily on solo jazz singing. The highlights include:
THEORY: A daily theory class tailored specifically for vocalists focusing on chart writing, chart reading, and general theory. We also off beginning, intermediate, and advanced jazz
DAILY MASTERCLASS: We’ll explore a variety of topics including:
- Improvisation with lyrics
- De-mystify scatting
- Rubato singing
- Repertoire
- How to communicate with a band
- How to practice
- Unravel the mystery of phrasing
- How to bring a ballad to life
- Ways to spark your creativity
- Creating your own arrangements
- The business of music
SINGING WITH A TRIO: Each day you’ll have an opportunity to work with a professional trio.
DAILY SPECIALS: Daily presentations by world-class SJW faculty include Latin rhythms and percussion, the business of music, creating your own book of charts, songwriting, improvising, stage presence, and more.
LECTURES: Visiting international artists talk about their experiences in jazz.
JAM: Nightly jam sessions for vocalists led by SJW faculty.
PERFORMANCE: Vocalist & Trio have an optional performance on Friday evening. Your friends and family are encouraged to come!
Sing Like a Horn Program
The Vocal Program offers a special Track for a limited number of interested advance singers. It’s taken in conjunction with the regular Vocal Program so you won’t miss anything! The Sing Like A Horn program integrates vocalists into the student instrumental combos. You’ll be singing wordlessly (like a horn) with the horn section. You’ll learn to read and create arrangements, improvise solos, and experience the thrill of singing with the other horns.
Prerequisite: An advanced sense of jazz harmony, some soloing skills, and some sight-singing skills.
By audition only on first day of camp.
Faculty
Download the 2024 Brochure
