Jazz for the Teach

Has your scat gone flat? Is your cadence feeling less than perfect? If you're singing the end of school blues, Toronto Downtown Jazz invites you to refresh your jazz chops in a fun, relaxed setting with Jazz for the Teach.

Jazz for the Teach features interactive sessions geared towards middle and high school music teachers looking to hone their jazz teaching skills. Led each year by seasoned jazz performers and educators, Jazz for the Teach will shed new light on jazz in the classroom, and will help to remove some of the mystique surrounding improvisation, leading a jazz ensemble, and more.

The 2012 edition of Jazz for the Teach features two sessions: on Sunday, June 24, Alex Dean and Shannon Gunn will lead a session on small group playing (3-6 pm at The Music Gallery); and on Tuesday, June 26, Andy Ballantyne will lead a session on big bands (11 am – 1:30 pm at The Rex Hotel). Each session will feature an interactive element: the small group session will culminate with a jam session; the big band session will provide an opportunity for select participants to conduct (with feedback) a big band.

Participation in Jazz for the Teach is free but registration is required. Register now online or download the registration form. Please complete your registration by June 13th.

Jazz for the Teach – Small Group Session
Sunday, June 24, 3-6 pm, The Music Gallery (197 John Street)
Clinicians: Shannon Gunn and Alex Dean
Topics to include:

• Jazz, the music and its importance in education
• Style: what kinds of styles will enrich your students and what resources will you need to foster this?
• Examining the role of the soloist and rhythm section within vocal and/or instrumental settings
• Stylistic interpretation and improvisation for vocalists and instrumentalists.
• Improvisation from beginner to intermediate and beyond.
• Developing the ear - if you can sing it you can play it.
• Listening and passing it on – who to listen to, what to listen for, and how to set a direction for your students.

The session concludes with a jam session for all participants.

Jazz for the Teach – Big Band Session
Tuesday, June 26, 11 am – 1:30 pm, The Rex Hotel (194 Queen Street West)
Clinician: Andy Ballantyne
Topics to include:

• Blend and balance in the band
• Developing swing feel
• Choosing and adapting repertoire
• Getting the rhythm section to function as a unit
• Increasing students' awareness of their role in the band

Interested participants may have the opportunity to conduct the house band (from Agincourt C.I.) and receive feedback on their conducting. All participants are welcome to stay for the Big Band Slam which begins at 2 pm at The Rex.

Participation in Jazz for the Teach is free but registration is required. Register now online or download the registration form. Please complete your registration by June 13th.