WJEC Summer Jazz Camp

AUGUST 17th - 22nd , 2025. Desaultes Faculty Of Music Building | University of Manitoba 150 Dafoe Road, R3T 2N2The WJEC Summer Jazz Camp is a week-long intensive program for students ages 12 to 18, who are eager to learn about the jazz genre and refine their skills as young jazz improvisers. Never improvised before? Not a problem! Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk all had to start somewhere! The program offers learning opportunities for all levels of improvisers, whether it is your first time or if you are a seasoned soloist. The program focuses on immersing students in the tradition of Black American improvised music, meeting mentors, and making lifelong music friends. It is a safe space to try new things, take chances, and ask questions.

PROGRAM APPLICATION
On Sunday, August 17th, students will take part in placement auditions where they will be required to perform an improvised solo for an educator and be assessed on their ear training. After completing the audition, students will write a short theory assessment. All students will be accepted into the program. The purpose of these assessments is for us to guarantee the optimal learning experience for each individual student!
Repertoire
Students need only perform one piece for the educator they are paired with. Not sure what to play? ‘Sonnymoon For Two’ is a great choice! Students may alternatively select a jazz standard of their choosing. Please refrain from playing an excerpt of a piece you are working on in your school jazz band: we are looking to hear your voice as a jazz improviser!
Click Here:Sonnymoon For Two Chart (all keys/clefs)Original Track | Backing Track | Swing Groove
Brass & Woodwinds: Horns will be asked to perform the melody to a jazz standard, along with two choruses of solo.
Vocalists: Vocalists can choose to scat an instrumental melody or prepare a jazz standard with lyrics, along with a chorus of scat soloing. Students may be assessed on their range during the audition. Note: If you are unsure if a song choice would make a good fit, feel free to email us to inquire about a song choice!
Guitarist/ Pianist: Comping instruments will be asked to demonstrate a chorus of comping on their instrument, along with
melody and two choruses of solo.
Bassists: Bassists will be asked to demonstrate a chorus of walking bass on their instrument, along with melody and two choruses of solo.
Drummers: Drummers may be asked to demonstrate a swing, rock, and Latin groove during the audition, along with 2 choruses of solo.
*Additional Assessments- During your audition, your instructor may ask you to demonstrate scales, technique, or additional materials, to gain a better understanding of your experience with jazz, improvising, and your instrument.
**Students may choose to audition on two instruments.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
REGISTER HERE Tuition: $350.00 CAN (before June 1st) | $400.00 CAN (after June 1st)*Please note full refunds are available until June 15th. 50% refunds are available until June 30th.
*We will not be able to provide a refund for registrants after June 30th.**Tuition must be payed in full at the time of registration using the online payment portal. We can not guarantee your registration otherwise.
Proceed To The Camp Payment NOTE: Select "jazz summer camp 2025"

Scholarships & Bursaries
Students may apply for scholarships/bursaries to offset the cost of their registration. Students will be asked to answer a number of questions along with emailing a letter of recommendation from their band teacher or private instructor to [email protected]. All scholarship and bursary applications must be submitted no later than noon on June 1st, 2025. Applicants will be notified by email of their application results no later than June 14th.
Proceed To Scholarship/Bursary Application

The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra is Generously Funded by:

Funding assistance provided by the Manitoba government. Aide financière accordée par le gouvernement du Manitoba.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Education Sponsors:

The Play-Along App project is supported by the Government of Canada’s Healthy Communities Initiative.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.
Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

Concert Sponsors:

Hotel Sponsor:

Radio Sponsors

Special Event Supporters

Supporters

The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra welcomes and shares its performance and creation of music - a universal language to all people irrespective of culture, race, sexuality, ability, language and gender.

Music is an agent of hope. A dynamic and valuable device that helps us to heal and to bring us together. The First Peoples of Canada understood this and used music to reunite, resolve and reconcile. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that WJO activities take place on Treaty Territory – land that was maintained and earnestly cared for by Indigenous peoples before European settlement. Manitoba is the original lands of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and is the homeland of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge that Winnipeg benefits daily from Treaty 3 water that comes from Shoal Lake 40. It is with sincere sentiment that we recognize the mistakes of our recent and distant past. In working towards a Canada that benefits us all, we commit to seeking a greater understanding of Canada’s diverse cultural relationships through continued work with Indigenous communities; we commit to live in ways that honour and respect the treaties that were made on these territories; and we commit to stewarding the land in harmony for all who will come after us.

- Please refrain from wearing any fragrances or scented products as other patrons are allergic to them.
- Your likeness may be captured at this event. Attending this event implies your permission for your image to be used in marketing or promotional purposes.
- Please do not attend if you do not feel well. Call the box office at 204-632-5299 to arrange to go to another concert.

Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra / Box 68114, RPO Osborne Village, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 2V9
Main: 204-421-9398 / [email protected] Box Office: 204-632-5299 / [email protected]