Why Jazz?
    Repertoire choices and general music styles can contribute to a lack of
    interest or desire among music students.  If a student is playing enjoyable
    material then motivation can remain hight.  Learning jazz takes effort and
    work, but it sure can be fun!

    Jazz is an art that explores complex harmony, melody, and rhythm while
    balancing printed notation with improvisation.  A student who develops a
    strong foundation in jazz is well equipped to play nearly every style of
    music in the world, including rock, pop, salsa, most classical music, new
    music, and other music from around the world.  
lessons
    BIG BAND WORKSHOP
    (ages 12-up)


    Big Band Workshop is open to all instruments,
    all accepted by audition.  Each week, students
    rehearse for 90 minutes as a big band and
    then meet on another day during the week for a
    60 minute sectional lesson (saxes, trumpets,
    trombones, and rhythm section).  The sectional
    rehearsal is similar to a small group lesson,
    and students benefit from an average of 5:1
    student-teacher ratio. Topics covered include
    jazz styles, improvisation, theory, instrumental
    technique, sight-reading, ensemble
    performance practice, the jazz songbook, and
    more.  Students not placed in the Big Band
    Workshop will be considered for the Jazz
    Ensemble.  The Big Band Workshop requires
    a commitment of 2.5 hours a week.

    JAZZ ENSEMBLE
    (ages 7-up)


    Jazz Ensemble is open to younger students,
    ages 7-11 and older students, who may not
    want the added pressure of playing with older
    students.  Each week, students rehearse as
    an ensemble for 60 minutes and then meet for
    60 minutes in sections (woodwinds, brass,
    and rhythm section). Students are introduced
    to improvisation and jazz styles while also
    developing musical fundamentals including
    instrument technique, note reading, music
    theory, ensemble performance, practice and
    more.  A commitment of 2 hours a week is
    required.

    ADVANCED JAZZ STUDIES:
    (ages 12-up)
    Ate-lier \noun\ 1:  an artist’s or designer’s
    studio/workshop

    Taking its name from the French word for
    “artist studio”, the Atelier Method is a form of
    private instruction in which an artist, usually a
    professional, works with a small number of
    students at his/her studio to progressively train
    them.  
    Students receive the following in this program:

    Piano/Study of Chord Structures, Scales and
    Modes
    Harmonic Analysis
    Improvisation
    Performance
    Music Composition/Arranging
    Student produces 3 or more finished works.
    Students at the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild have many options available to
    them in exploring the world of music, either in a private setting, small
    group, sectional or ensemble.  Students enrolled in lessons have weekly
    lessons that teach the fundamentals of music theory, reading scales and
    improvisation.  Students also participate in annual concerts and a variety of
    public performances throughout the community.

    The Richmond Youth Jazz Guild instructional year begins in September
    and ends in May.  Additionally, we offer summer camps, and workshops
    for the months of June, July and August.  Students may enroll at anytime
    for a minimum of 13 weeks.