On This Page
July 8–July 26, 2024
Three weeks
Three college credits
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. & evening studio hours
Work with UArts faculty and master-level musicians in our state-of-the-art facilities in Philadelphia, a city with deep-seated musical roots and cultural history. Whether you’re an instrumentalist or a vocalist, you’ll explore techniques and repertoire with an emphasis on improvisation and performance while uncovering a range of creative possibilities through ensembles, lessons, workshops and jam sessions.
Over the course of two weeks, you’ll take up to four classes per day, collaborate with Dance students, and attend and participate in live performances.
Students are accepted into the program in one of the following performance areas: Bass (upright or electric), Drums, Vibraphone, Voice, Guitar, Piano, all woodwind and brass instruments.
Programming
Core Classes
You’ll participate in the following courses.
Lessons
Working within small instrumental and vocal lesson groups, you will focus on developing technique, phrasing, repertoire, interpretation, improvisation and sight-reading skills on your primary instrument or your voice.
Improvisation
Become a stronger performer by working closely with faculty to build your musical vocabulary, sense of rhythm and ear training skills, all while refining your voice as an improviser.
History
Studying the major movements in Jazz and popular music throughout the past century, students gain a better understanding of the music, artists, ideas and social-historical contexts from where this music developed.
Music Theory
Students will study intervals, scales, arpeggios, chord construction, as well as the musical scores of the great composers from the jazz and popular traditions.
Small Ensemble
Students work alongside their peers in a smaller band setting to interpret and harmonize melodies, improvise, communicate and play as a cohesive ensemble. Music will include a mix of repertoire specifically chosen for your ensemble.
Large Ensemble
Each student will play and/or sing in an ensemble focused on the dynamics and musical approach to performing in a large group setting. Performances of these ensembles will take place on the last day of the program.
Masterclass
Each afternoon a guest artist will teach a masterclass. These artists are sought-after composers and performers from a variety of musical backgrounds, all actively involved with their craft at the highest levels in their fields.
A Week in the Life
Expand allCollapse all
View a sample schedule
Monday
9–10 a.m. Instrument Workshop
10:30–11:30 a.m. Small Ensemble
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Music Theory or History
1:30.–2:30 p.m. Improvisation
2:30–3:30 p.m. Large Ensemble
3:30–5:15 p.m. Big Band, Vocal Ensemble or Rhythm Workshop
Tuesday
9–10 a.m. Instrument Workshop
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Small Ensemble
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Music Theory or History
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Improvisation
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Large Ensemble
3:30–4:45 p.m. Masterclass
5–5:45 p.m Improv Jam Session
Wednesday
9–10 a.m. Instrument Workshop
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Small Ensemble
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Music Theory or History
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Improvisation
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Large Ensemble
3:30–4:45 p.m. Masterclass
5–7:00 p.m. Evening Ensemble Performance
Thursday
9–10 a.m. Instrument Workshop
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Small Ensemble
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Music Theory or History
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Improvisation
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Large Ensemble
3:30–4:45 p.m. Masterclass
5–5”45 p.m. Jam Session
Friday
9–10 a.m. Instrument Workshop
10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Small Ensemble
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Music Theory or History
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Improvisation
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Large Ensemble
3:30–4:45 p.m. Masterclass
Saturday
Optional off-campus field trip
Note: Students break for lunch between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. every day. Some evening activities are part of this program’s curriculum. Commuters should plan accordingly.
Faculty
Students in the Music programwork with professional musicians. Many of our faculty teach in the degree programs at UArts. Our expert instructors are seasoned educators and dedicated artists who enjoy sharing their expertise and collaborating with the next generation of musicians.
Summer 2024 faculty may include
Mark Allen
Saxophone/Woodwind Department Chair
Music - Instrumental Performance (BM)
Steve Beskrone
Bass Department Coordinator
Music - Instrumental Performance (BM)
Matt Davis
Guitar Department Chair
Music - Instrumental Performance (BM)
Liz Radigonda
MM '07; Vocal Performance Program Director
Music - Vocal Performance (BM)
Past guest artists have included
|
|
|---|
How to Apply
Start your application.
Application priority deadline Saturday, April 13 2024.
Application Requirements
Complete the Summer Institute application.
Submit a pre-recorded audition.
See below for specific video audition requirements by performance area/instrument.
Pay the $15 application fee.
Video Audition Requirements
All applicants must submit recordings as part of their application for admission. See below for specific video audition requirements by performance area or instrument.
Video Audition Requirements by Performance Area
Expand allCollapse all
Instrumentalists
The following pieces are required in your recorded video audition.
An introduction including your name, school, grade, city and state, and what you will be playing.
A prepared selection of one of the following works. You should play at a medium tempo with standard or alternate chord changes. The accompaniment may be live or recorded. You may play an optional 3–4 choruses of improvisation.Bassists must also walk a bass line for two choruses. Pianists, guitarists and vibraphonists must also comp for two choruses. Drummers must play time for two choruses.
“Billie’s Bounce” by Charlie Parker
“Straight, No Chaser” by Thelonius Monk
“Sandu” by Clifford Brown
A sight reading exercise: Click on the sight reading exercise for your instrument. If two options are listed, pick one of the two.
Bass (upright or electric)
Drum Set (play letter A to letter E)
Guitar
Piano, Vibraphone
Sax, Flute
Trombone
Bass Trombone
Trumpet
Optional self selection: Perform an additional piece of your choice. Improvisation is optional.
Vocalists
The following pieces are required in your recorded video audition.
An introduction including your name, school, grade, city and state, and what you will be playing.
Recording of prepared selections
Select two musical selections of different styles and sing the melody. Improvisation is optional. Recording can be a cappella or with a backing track.
A sight reading exercise: Click on the sight reading exercise below.
Vocalist sight reading
