Summer Ensembles Program runs for 6 weeks between July 6th - Aug 17th! 

For summer ensembles we are offering six weeks of classes (one per week), consisting of specific themes to be introduced and workshopped each week.  Students have flexibility for how many classes (and which classes) they will attend, with a minimum registration of 4 classes to allow for summer vacations.  Each level will have appropriate and customized expectations and content.  See below for description of each week, and further down for each ensemble's schedule and location.

Week 1 (July 6 - 9):  Reading and Section Playing!

All ensembles will have a crash course reading typical Jazz and Swing repertoire with interpreting swing rhythms and feel, intonation and blend, and tips on how to practice at home.  Beginner groups will learn about the roles of each rhythm section instrument and how to listen in an ensemble to aid with reading, while intermediate and advanced groups will focus on more advanced concepts with listening, rhythmic conception, blending harmonies in a section, etc.

Week 2 (July 13 - 16): Back to Blues! 

Each ensemble will have a refresher on the various Blues progressions, soloing tips, and developing ideas that outline the harmony.  Listen and play through various styles of Blues, and how to treat them differently when soloing.

Week 3 (July 20 - 23): Back to Blues Review & How to Apply Blues Language to Various Jazz, Rock and R&B Idioms 

Listen and play through Blues language and how to use it in different genres.  Work on developing language that can be re-worked rhythmically for different situations, and how to practice it at home. 

Week 4 (July 27 - 30): Improvising by Ear using Theme and Variation!

Learning how to improvise using the melody!  From easy licks, to a 10-step melodic development process.  Understand how to manipulate existing notes and rhythms in order to come up with something new. Can be applied as a method of learning how to solo on Jazz standards.

Week 5 (Aug 4 - 10): Theory, Chords, Scales, Harmony Refresher

Each ensemble will review relevant and level-appropriate scales, chords, and functional (and non-functional harmony) and apply to a Jazz standard for soloing and rhythm section accompaniment.

Week 6 (Aug 11 - 17):  Reading and Section Playing Review!

All ensembles will have a crash course reading typical Jazz and Swing repertoire with interpreting swing rhythms and feel, intonation and blend, and tips on how to practice at home. This will serve as a continuation from week 1, building on learned skills and continuing to develop skillsets.  Students do not need to have taken Week 1: Reading and Section Playing class in order to partake in this review.

Summer Ensembles Schedule in Order of Level

2) Beginner Jazz - Mondays 6:30pm - 8:00pm 

July 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, Aug 10th, Aug 17th

Location: Koffman Academy of Music & Dance -  15 Roncesvalles Ave. Toronto                                                              
Street Parking Available on Roncesvalles and Queen St. West.  TTC Accessible

Pre-requisite -  Should have at least two years of playing experience on your instrument, be able to read music at a basic level, and be comfortable reading up 2-3 sharps and flats.  Very little comprehensive “Jazz playing experience” is required. If you have a few years of experience with bigband playing or small ensemble playing, but limited experience with Jazz Improvisation, this is a suitable level for you given the focus on improvising.  

2. Intermediate Jazz - Tuesdays 7:30 - 9:00pm

July 7th, July 14th, July 21st, July 28th, Aug 4th, Aug 11th

Location:  Lippert Music Centre - 970 Pape Ave. Toronto
Parking Available on Floyd Ave, and parts of Pape Ave.  TTC Accessible 

Pre-requisite -  Should have two-three years of playing experience on your instrument, be able to read music and be comfortable reading up 3 sharps and flats.  Have had some experience playing jazz (either large or small ensembles).  Pianists/guitarists should understand and be able to play simple chord voicings, and Bassist should understand and be able to create a simple bassline (“walking”) over basic chord changes (blues progression, very easy standards), drummers should be able to play swing feel, Rock, Funk/R&B, Bossa-Nova.

3. Intermediate Jazz - Thursdays 10:30am - 12:00pm 

July 9th, July 16th, July 23rd, July 30th, Aug 6th, Aug 13th

Location:  Tranzac Club -  292 Brunswick Ave. Toronto
Parking Available at Green P lot beside Tranzac Club, on various side streets, and on Bloor St.  TTC Accessible 

Pre-requisite -  Should have two-three years of playing experience on your instrument, be able to read music and be comfortable reading up 3 sharps and flats.  Have had some experience playing jazz (either large or small ensembles).  Pianists/guitarists should understand and be able to play simple chord voicings, and Bassist should understand and be able to create a simple bassline (“walking”) over basic chord changes (blues progression, very easy standards), drummers should be able to play swing feel, Rock, Funk/R&B, Bossa-Nova.

4. Advanced Jazz - Mondays 8:00 - 9:30pm

 July 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, Aug 10th, Aug 17th

Location: Koffman Academy of Music & Dance -  15 Roncesvalles Ave. Toronto
Street Parking Available on Roncesvalles and Queen St. West.  TTC Accessible

Pre-requisite -  Should have at least four years of playing experience on your instrument, be able to read music and be comfortable reading in most keys.  Have had some experience playing jazz (either large or small ensembles), understand swing feel, comfortable improvising over basic jazz standards.   Pianists/guitarists should understand and be able to play a variety of chord voicings for typical chord qualities found in easy and intermediate jazz standards, and Bassists should be able to create a bassline (“walking”) over a variety of standards, drummers should be able to play swing feel, Rock, Funk, Bossa-Nova, and a variety of Latin-Jazz rhythms.