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International Jazz Summer School

Sunday 4th August to Friday 9th August 2024

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 (new this year) 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.

Apply now

Musical Opportunities

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…

Children running with batons at our Music Summer Schools
Sports
Swimming
Sightseeing and more...

Meet Our World-Class Staff

About our Course Tutors

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.

Meet our Jazz Staff

A Typical Day

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 £995 for boarding and £795 for day pupils (including meals – lunch/dinner for day). You will save 10% off of these fees if you book by 31st January 2024.

A deposit of 25% of the course fee is required to reserve your place, with the balance due on 10th May 2024. Bookings made after the 10th May 2024 must be accompanied by the full fee for the course. Deposits are non-refundable.

Discounts

If you book one of our Holiday Music Schools 2024, you are eligible for a £50 discount off the cost of each additional Holiday Music School 2024 course you book. This can be applied across siblings or for one child who takes part in more than one course in 2024. 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).

How to Apply

We recommend that you have the following information available before starting our booking process:

  • Details about your child’s musical history, including feedback from your child’s music teacher, if applicable
  • Payment card details (please note, if you wish to pay by childcare vouchers, please contact us BEFORE filling out the form).

If you have any questions or if you’d like help with the application process, please contact us on 01749 834388 / [email protected].

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