Justin Faulkner, Program Director
The PYO Music Institute Summer Jazz Camp 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.
Summer Jazz Camp 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 Summer Jazz Camp 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:
- Theory/Improvisation – Group Class (9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.)
Focus: Basic Soloing over Blues and Rhythm Changes - 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. - Small Groups/Masterclass (1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
Opportunity to study and learn jazz standards in a combo setting. - 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: Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Tuition Rates
Until December 31, 2024: $675 per week
After December 31, 2024: $725 per week
Recommended for student musicians ages 14-21.
Register HereFinancial 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.