Justin Faulkner, Program Director

The PYO Music Institute Philadelphia Summer Jazz Academy is a week-long summer day camp open to wind (saxophone), brass (trumpet, trombone, tuba), and rhythm section (drum set, vibraphone, guitar, piano, bass) students ages 14 through 21.  

Philadelphia Summer Jazz Academy (PSJA), a new summer offering of the Institute, provides advanced instrumental music students access to training, musical and personal development, and performance opportunities through professional-level jazz orchestra repertoire. Additionally, the PYO Music Institute Philadelphia Summer Jazz Academy offers the chance to work with world-renowned and highly experienced professional conductors, musicians, and teachers and rehearse professional-level jazz literature. The final day of the intensive will serve as a showcase of the work completed for the camp.

Minimum Requirements:
Our youngest wind, brass, bass, piano, guitar, and vibraphone players should have at least one school year of jazz band experience and private or group instruction. 

Drummers should have at least two years of experience playing in a jazz ensemble and group setting. 

All students should be able to read an entry-level jazz lead sheet. 

Activities Include:
Daily instrument-specific master classes, music theory and improvisation classes, small ensemble classes, jazz orchestra rehearsals, and end-of-camp performances for family and friends.

Sample Daily Schedule:

1. Theory/Improvisation – Group Class (9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.)
   Focus: Basic Soloing over Blues and Rhythm Changes
2. Sectional/Instrument-Specific Technique, Rhythm, and Musicianship Class (10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
   This period will serve as a sectional to work on the specifics of the literature we are playing, address the basic skill sets of the instrument, and provide an opportunity to explore the respective instruments’ foundational hallmarks.
3. Small Groups/Masterclass (1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
   Opportunity to study and learn jazz standards in a combo setting.
4. Large Ensemble (2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
   Rehearsal and opportunity to learn the respective roles of each instrument and explore the contextual language of traditional and modern jazz orchestras.

Dates:  2025 Dates Forthcoming

Location:  St. Patrick Church Hall, 240 S. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103

Tuition Rate: $675 per week

Recommended for student musicians ages 14-21.

Register Here

Financial Aid is available for students who demonstrate financial need. Applications are available upon request.

Questions? Contact the PYOMI office at info@pyomusic.org or 215.545.0502.