Our world-class tutors will nurture musicians (aged 13-18) to develop their jazz and improvisation skills within a creative and supportive environment.
We offer two distinct strands on our summer course based on ability. One strand is designed for musicians who are experienced in jazz playing, and the other strand is for instrumentalists who would like to learn how to play jazz and improvise from scratch. Please feel free to contact us on 01749 834388 / [email protected] if you’re unsure which strand is right for you.
Our Jazz Summer School will give aspiring young jazz musicians a chance to work on the various aspects of jazz practice, which may include style and groove, musicianship, technique, masterclasses, one to one lessons, career advice, jam sessions, listening and transcribing classes with our highly experienced Wells staff, all of whom are outstanding teachers and performers. Students will be placed in a band or workshop group according to their age, ability and experience.
You will have multiple opportunities to perform regardless of your skill level, but the highlight will be the end of the week concert on the Friday evening that is open to family and friends plus jam sessions throughout the week where you will have the opportunity to play alongside the tutors.
Whilst we encourage everyone to take part in all performances and activities, we will not force anyone to participate if they don’t want to do so for whatever reason. However, we hope our friendly and accepting community will lead all musicians to take part, even if it is slightly outside of their normal comfort zone!
Other Activities
Even professional musicians need a break from their instruments!
With Wells Cathedral School’s outstanding facilities, you’ll have a range of activities to enjoy when you’re not making music…
Course tutors will generally be either full- or part-time teaching staff of Wells Cathedral School, a government-recognised specialist music school that is known for its quality teaching and musical opportunities for pre-professional musicians. However, should our staff be unavailable for our jazz summer school, we will appoint music teachers of a comparable calibre to teach courses.
7.30am: Wake up call for boarders 8.00am: Breakfast
8.30am: Registration in Cedars Hall for both day and boarding students
9.00am: Group warm up
9.30am: Group workshop session 1
11.00am: Break
11.30am: Group workshop session 2 12.30pm: Lunch
1.15pm: Jazz classes with tutors or individual lessons on request 2.45pm: Activities – sport, shopping, additional music
4.30pm: Full jazz group rehearsal 6.00pm: Supper
6.45pm: Jam session 7.45pm: Day pupils depart 8.00pm: Boarders’ Activities
9.30pm: Bedtime routine begins (age dependent)
Please note that unlike other courses the Jazz course concert is on Friday evening, pupils can then stay the night if they wish or leave after the concert.
Fees
The course costs £1195 for boarding and £955 for day pupils (including meals – lunch/dinner for day). We have frozen our 2024 course fee but VAT has been added in line with new regulations. You will save 10% off of these fees if you book by 31st January 2025.
A deposit of 25% of the course fee is required to reserve your place, with the balance due on 9th May 2025. Bookings made after the 9th May 2025 must be accompanied by the full fee for the course. Please note deposits are non-refundable.
Discounts
If you book one of our Holiday Music Schools 2025, you are eligible for a £50 discount off the cost of each additional Holiday Music School 2025 course you book. This can be applied across siblings or for one child who takes part in more than one course in 2025. Please use the discount code “HOLIDAYMUSIC50” on your application form for each additional course you book (the full price will be required for the first booked course).
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