The Jazz Institute

  The Conservatory has one of the longest running jazz programs in the United States. Over the last forty-plus years, it has been a significant presence in the world of jazz and has produced many well-known performers.

The Jazz Institute at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is the recipient of the Eric D. Batterman Memorial Grant. This generous grant from the Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation has enabled us to significantly expand our jazz offerings. The Jazz Institute offers jazz instruction and performance opportunities for all ages. Students learn from our faculty of seasoned jazz performers and also have the chance to work with world renowned guest artists.


JAZZ PROGRAM
High school and adult instrumentalists and vocalists wanting to pursue a curriculum of study in jazz music can enroll in the Jazz Program in which individual instruction and a group experience in a jazz combo class are paired at a special rate.

• The Conservatory’s Jazz Program is open to high school and adult instrumentalists and vocalists wanting to pursue a curriculum of study in jazz music. Individual instruction and group experience in a jazz combo each semester are included in the program.

• Individual instruction with a member of the Conservatory’s faculty will give each student the opportunity to work at his or her own pace, to strengthen skills, technique and musicianship. Instruction will also cover jazz theory and improvisation. Call to arrange a specific instructor, lesson time and location. 

• Weekly Jazz Combos-Receive $20 off when registered for at least 6 weeks of individual instruction! The combo experience enables students to use the skills learned during the lessons. Using standard jazz repertoire, students will get practical experience in honing their ensemble and improvisation skills. Each student will be assigned to a group that best meets his/her skill level and schedule. 12 weeks. 

• New Student Placement Hearings: A placement hearing ensures that ensembles consist of players with similar abilities. Students should perform a piece that best demonstrates their ability to play jazz. Standard repertoire is preferred.

New Student Placement Hearings for the Summer semester will be held on Saturday, May 5 or by appointment. The deadline for a placement hearing is Saturday, June 11, 2012. Please call 414/276-5760 to schedule an appointment.

Students may also register for individual instruction, combos or classes independently from the Jazz Program.

Click on class links below to find specific class information or scroll down on page for detailed class information including time, location, instructor and date.

Beginning Jazz Piano | 6 Weeks | $100
High School-Adult Basic piano proficiency and knowledge of major scales is required. Explore the essentials of jazz harmony as you learn a repertoire of jazz standards. Each week highlights a different historically important jazz pianist. Prospect • Mondays 6:30-7:25pm 3962 • Starts 6/18/12 Instructor: John Foshager Return to Top
Jazz Transcription | 8 Weeks | $132
High School-Adult Open to all instrumentalists. One of the key ways jazz musicians learn is by transcribing—the process of figuring out by ear what has been played on a recording. This class will focus on the transcription of 2-3 classic solos. Advice will be given on which solos to choose and how to transcribe them. The students will learn to play them from memory, then analyze the transcriptions and develop exercises that will enable them to start incorporating this material into their own improvisations. Prospect • Tuesdays 8:00-8:55pm 3997 • Starts: 6/12/12 (no class 7/3) Instructor: Eric Jacobson Return to Top
"Rhythm" Changes on Jazz Guitar | 6 Weeks | $100
High School-Adult Open to guitarists with a basic knowledge of chords. The harmonic progression to Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm," often simply referred to as "Rhythm Changes," is a staple of the jazz tradition, and the basis for many other tunes, such as Sonny Rollins' "Oleo," Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-A-Ning", and more. Chording through it smoothly on the guitar can be a challenge, but we'll break it down into sections week by week, making for an ideal summer project! Prospect • Tuesdays 7:00-7:55pm 3956 • Starts 6/12/12 (no class 7/3) Instructor: Paul Silbergleit Return to Top
Jazz Licks Lab | 6 Weeks | $100
High School-Adult Open to instrumentalists with a basic knowledge of chords, and tablature or notation. Originally designed for guitarists, now open to all melodically improvising jazz musicians! Start building a vocabulary of melodic ideas for jazz improvisation. Licks will cover a wide range of chord changes and jazz styles. Relevant scale and technical material will be discussed. Music DVD: Hal Leonard's Jazz Guitar Licks Goldmine DVD, featuring Jazz Licks instructor Paul Silbergleit playing the licks at tempo and at slower speed. It is suggested that guitarists purchase DVD prior to first class. Prospect • Wednesdays 7:00-7:55pm 3995 • Starts 6/13/12 (no class 7/4) Instructor: Paul Silbergleit Return to Top
Beginning Jazz Combo for Adults | 8 Weeks | $132
Open to all instrumentalists. Perfect for the adult who has started playing jazz but has never had a chance to play in a group. You will have fun playing the blues and other basic repertoire. Who knows, you just might work up the nerve to sit in at one the Conservatory jam sessions! A New Student Placement Hearing is not required. Prospect • Wednesdays 7:00-7:55pm 3961 • Starts 6/13/12 (no class 7/4) Instructor: Jim Paolo Return to Top
High School Jazz Combo | 6 Weeks | $100
Learn fundamentals of improvisation, accompaniment and group interplay while you perform standard repertoire as a member of a small jazz group. All instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome. If you are not available for these times, let us know. The Conservatory can form groups on days and times other than those listed here. New Student Placement Hearing date: May 5 or by appointment. Please call Student Services at 414/276-5760 to schedule an appointment. Prospect • Tuesdays 5:30--6:25pm 3992 • Starts 7/10/12  Instructor: Eric Jacobson Prospect • Tuesdays 7:00-7:55pm 3993 • Starts 7/10/12 Instructor: Eric Jacobson Wilson Center •Thursdays 7:00-7:55pm 3994 • Starts 7/5/12  Instructor: Eric Jacobson Return to Top
Adult Jazz Combo | 8 Weeks | $132
Learn fundamentals of improvisation, accompaniment and group interplay while you perform standard repertoire as a member of a small jazz group. All instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome. If you are not available for these times, let us know. The Conservatory can form groups on days and times other than those listed here. New Student Placement Hearing date: May 5 or by appointment. Please call Student Services at 414/276-5760 to schedule an appointment. Prospect • Mondays 6:30-7:25pm 3988 • Starts 6/18/12  Instructor: Jim Paolo Prospect • Thursdays 7:30-8:25pm 3989 • Starts 6/14/12 Instructor: Aaron Gardner Return to Top
Playing with the Jazz Pros | 2 Weeks | $100
High School-Adult Prerequisites: Open to pianists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers currently enrolled in private jazz instruction at the Conservatory. Participants need to -demonstrate proficiency performing standard jazz repertoire. A faculty trio of piano or guitar, bass and drums will guide students through the techniques of rhythm section playing. A repertoire of jazz standards will be chosen at the start of their semester. Students will have the opportunity to work on these during the semester of private lessons. The class will offer the opportunity to “sit in” and observe seasoned professionals, get feedback and try out suggestions on the spot. The class will address stylistic awareness, time, feel, form, chart interpretation and more. A New Student Placement Hearing on May 5 or by appointment will determine appropriate session. Please call Student Services at 414/276-5760 to schedule an appointment. Prospect • Thursdays 7:00-7:55pm 4008 • 6/14/12 & 7/12/12  Instructors: Jazz Faculty Return to Top
Bebop Basics | 6 Weeks | $100
High School-Adult Open to all instrumentalists. An introduction to the fundamentals of jazz improvisation, this class will show students how to use scales and basic bebop vocabulary to create solos on standard chord progressions. Prospect • Mondays 7:00-7:55pm 3960 • Starts 6/18/12 Instructor: Eric Jacobson Return to Top
Wayne Shorter Ensemble | 6 Weeks | $100
Adult Open to all instrumentalists. Prerequisite: New Student Placement Hearing or consent of the instructor. Join a jazz combo and play jazz masterpieces by the great saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter. Prospect • Mondays 8:00-8:55pm 3984 • Starts 6/18/12  Instructor: Eric Jacobson Return to Top
Jazz Singers Workshop | 6 Weeks | $149
Adult Sing with professional piano and bass -accompaniment and learn the basic musical concepts needed to perform with -fellow jazz musicians. This class will provide students with an understanding of form, keys, tempos, charts, set lists, and stage etiquette. Students must come ready to sing. Prospect • Mondays 7:30-8:25pm 3996 • Starts 6/18/12 Instructors: Jim Paolo and John Foshager Return to Top