Summer School 28th July to 17th AugusT
The summer school welcomes vocalists and instrumentalists with some jazz experience who want to develop and improve their improvisation and performance skills.
The summer school is divided into three periods of 6 nights with a different team of tutors for each period. Each course features instrumental and vocal classes, small groups with vocalists and with horn players, big band and choir. There is an evening concert after dinner every day followed by a late night jam session.
All courses last for six nights on site.
Course Dates 2025
2025 COURSE 1 : arrival 28th July – departure 3rd August (6 nights)
Tutors: Mick Foster(all horns), Barry Green (piano), Jeremy Brown (double/ electric), TBC (guitar) , Tristan Mailliot / Gwilym Jones (drums). Vocal course: Judy Niemack.
2025 COURSE 2 : arrival 4 th August – departure 10th August (6 nights)
Tutors: Alan Barnes (all horns ), Rob Barron (piano), Mark Ridout (guitar), Jeremy Brown (double bass), Tristan Mailliot /Gwilym Jones (drums). Vocal course: Nia Lynn.
2025 COURSE 3 ( Funk week): arrival 11th August – departure 17th August (6 nights)
Tutors: Gareth Lockrane (all horns), Mike Gorman (piano), Mark Ridout (guitar) , Dave Jones (electric bass) , Tristan Mailliot (drums). Vocal course: Brigitte Beraha.
Study Topics
- Vocals: voice technique, breathing. Interpreting lyrics. Modes and scales for improvisation. Repertoire.
- Brass/ Woodwind: Scales/ arpeggios/ modes and how they relate to harmonic sequences found in jazz. Technique, breathing etc,,,
- Piano: Chord/scale relationships, chord voicings and extensions, vocabulary, technique.
- Bass: Chord/scale relationships, developing walking bass lines, vocabulary and soloing.
- Drums: Straight eighths and triplet based time feels, stickings, soloing and phrasing, brushwork, metric modulation, Latin.
- Guitar: chord shapes, arpeggios and scales. Comping and Improvisation in various styles.
Classes are a mix of instrumental workshops and ensemble classes focusing on different types of jazz repertoire. We will be covering blues forms, jazz standards and more contemporary material ie. music by Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, Pat Metheny.
Everyone has the the opportunity to prepare pieces of their choice in trios, quartets or quintets for the evening concert. We encourage everyone to stretch their musical boundaries and have fun both on and off the bandstand. Vocalists will perform with a trio in the concert every evening and participate in the jazz vocal ensemble.
Typical Daily Timetable
- 8.30 to 9.30 am: Breakfast.
- 10.00 to 11.20am: Instrument or vocal specific classes.
- 11.40-1.00pm: Participants divide into smaller combo groups and work on one or more pieces to perform in the concert or more vocal classes.
- 1.00pm: Lunch.
- 2.20 to 3.50 pm: Vocalists prepare songs with trios. Large Ensemble ( all horns plus rhythm section) rehearsal.
- 4 to 5 pm Masterclasses ( various topics relating to core jazz repertoire or extra funk group sessions on funk week) or Jazz Vocal Ensemble.
- 5 to 7.30pm: Free time for recreation or extra rehearsal or individual practice. Ensembles and vocalists can use extra rehearsal time to prepare for the evening concerts.
- 7.30pm: Dinner.
- 8.30 pm: Concert followed by a jam session lasting until about 1 am.
Important Info
For all information about course and accommodation prices, please see our Fees Page.
Please also read our booking Terms and Conditions.