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Summer Jazz Vocal Camp

for singers aged 14-18 (19 if taking a year out) who want to get right inside the music!

Be inspired. Be empowered. Be creative!

Dates

Applications will go live on 18th December 2023 – sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear when you can apply!

Residential Course’s Timetable: 
Friday 9th August 2024: Arrival 1pm. Sessions: 2-5pm & 7-9pm
Saturday 10th August 2024:  Sessions: 10am-1pm 2-5pm & 7-9pm
Sunday 11th August 2024:  Sessions: 10am-1pm & 2-4pm then 4pm performance @ Benenden’s Recital Hall

Application Process

On 18th December 2023 applications will open for 14-18 year olds (19 if taking a gap year)

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: Candidates are asked to prepare three tunes comprising one of the ballads and one of the four medium tempo swing tunes selected from the following list, followed by a piece of their own choice which can be unaccompanied.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: Candidates are asked to give a live performance either with an accompanist or singing to a backing track (which they can take from the backing tracks that accompany the repertoire list on NYJC’s website)

Applicants are not required to improvise (scat!) at their audition. They can if they want to – but paraphrasing the melody and communicating the lyric is sufficient at this stage. We’re really keen to work with all enthusiastic vocalists who are looking to broaden their skillset and take their singing to the next level.

apply

Cost

The Jazz Vocal Camp registration fee is £320*.

*Financial Help

We don’t want anyone to miss out because they cannot afford the fees. So NYJC offers means-tested bursaries for those needing financial help which can include covering the enrolment fee and transport costs to the course.

“This project offers a unique opportunity for young jazz vocalists, who don’t get the same level of ensemble opportunity as their instrumental peers in regional big bands” NYJC’s Executive Artistic Director, Issie Barratt

“There’s something essential about this music!” Vocal Project Musical Director, Pete Churchill

See NYJC’s promo video of August 2022’s inaugural summer vocal project to get the flavour of what we do

See NYJC’s full vocal concert comprising 4 ensemble and 12 solo pieces

Who’s Involved?

Musical Director

Pete Churchill

The inspirational award winning Pete Churchill (London Vocal Project, Pete Churchill trio, Avalon Trio, West End MD of 5 guys named Moe, MD for Mark Murphy, Conductor of Kenny Wheeler Big Band, Professor of Jazz Composition @ Royal Academy of Music, Jazz singing @ Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles & Kodaly Summer School @ University of Queensland, Brisbane; Parliamentary Jazz Award for Education 2007)

NYJC

The National Youth Jazz Collective helps young, aspiring Jazz talents to develop their skills, passion and experience as musicians. We offer and support music education to increase the ability of young musicians to play by ear in small groups, to learn, improvise, compose, arrange and lead bands.

Apply here

Skills Covered

Through singing in an ensemble we will address some essential skills needed for solo singing: Phrasing, paraphrasing, intonation, articulation and groove.

Other skills covered will be:

  • Learning by ear
  • Developing a good memory for music and lyrics.
  • Developing an understanding of form
  • Rhythmic security in an improvising environment.
  • Improvisation and understanding of jazz harmony and modes.

Hear Pete Churchill’s inspiring work with the London Vocal Project (formed in 2008):

The Location

Benenden School in Kent

Benenden School is an independent boarding school for girls in Kent, England. It is located in Hemsted Park at Benenden in the Kent countryside, between Cranbrook and Tenterden.

Benenden opened a brand new School Hall and state-of-the-art Music School in 2022. Designed by the multi award-winning Guy Hollaway Architects, the new School Hall will offer state-of-the-art acoustics and will give audiences a truly amazing performance experience.

The Music School also features a smaller Recital Hall, with capacity for an audience of around 150 people, offering a performance space in a more intimate environment, perfect for rehearsals and smaller performances such as the nightly jam sessions and tutors concert. The Music School has more than 20 practice rooms and classrooms, as well as a smaller performance room, IT suite and recording and performance booths.