Chapin and Chapin

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What: A 5-week workshop for 4-10 jazz students to learn and develop jazz improvisational skills through playing in a jazz combo with like-skilled peers. The workshop will include 5 two-hour combo sessions and one concert. Also, each student will receive one additional 45 minute private or small-group (sectional) instructional session focused on her/his instrument.

Area students have been learning about jazz improvisation in a combo setting through the Grayslake Jazz Combo Workshop since the summer of 2001.

When: (dates listed below are subject to change, but we'll adhere to them as closely as possible)

Assuming there is enough interest for more than one group, students will be placed in either the Sunday Night or Monday Night Combo, based on ability, age, and experience. For students new to the program, we will hold placement auditions to help us form combos of like-skilled players. Previous GJCW participants do not need to do an audition.

(Note: these auditions are for placement only; they are not meant to be competitive in nature.)

Where:

• Sunday Night Combo Workshop sessions are held at the The Rails Jazz Club (Nielsen living room) at 93 Railroad Av., Grayslake. Get directions
• Monday Night Combo sessions are held at The Oaks Jazz Club (Chapin living room) at 326 Getchell Av., Grayslake. Get directions

Who: Students who have participated in past workshops have come from many of the neighboring communities and have ranged in age from 12 through 18.

The instructors...

Bill Chapin has been playing piano professionally in the Chicago area since 1978, taught jazz piano at the the College of Lake County for 8 years, and currently teaches privately out of his home. Bill is the Director of Educational Technologies at Warren Township High School. See Bill's bio.

Paul Nielsen is well-known in the Chicago area, both as a jazz and music educator and as a working musician on multiple instruments. He directs the choirs at Grayslake North High School and the jazz band at Grayslake Central High School. See Paul's bio.

Why: To gain valuable experience playing in a combo setting, to get lots of time to improvise in a low-pressure setting, and to have fun and groove to the beat of the most American form of music, jazz.

Topics we may cover: Scales and patterns for improv;foun introductions and endings; trading fours; soloing; learning jazz styles such as swing, latin, waltz, blues, ballads; and, of course, jamming on jazz tunes. New this season is the opportunity for interested students to learn about and run sound reinforcement equipment (mixer, mic's, amps, cables, acoustics, etc.) as an optional learning experience.

Typical Session: Setup and warm-up--10 minutes; blues tunes and improv on the blues--20 minutes; ear training games and exercises--10 minutes; break--5 minutes; improv theory--10 minutes; rehearsal of tunes and jamming--60 minutes; assignments and review--5 minutes.

Cost: $190.00, which includes the cost of instructional materials, photocopying, and all arrangements and logistics for the program. Payment in full and the completed signup form are due at the time of the audition of June 5th at the latest.