Jazz Band Director Workshop

Jazz Band Director Workshop

June 10 - 13, 2025

The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Jazz Band Director Workshop is an opportunity for pre-college teachers to develop their skills in directing a jazz band and growing the jazz program in their school. All participants will be adults. Topics will include jazz history and listening, programming for jazz ensembles, rhythm section techniques, rehearsal techniques, and more. Participants are encouraged to play in a rehearsal jazz band as part of the workshop.

Schedule

2:00 PM – Check-in

3:00 PM – Welcome

3:30-5:00 PM – Survey of Jazz History through Listening

5:00 PM – Dinner

7:00 PM – Concert (IU Jazz Faculty)

8:30 AM – Warm up with Bethany

9:00 - 10:00 AM – Session #1 (choose topic)

10:00 AM – Break

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM – The Rhythm Section

12:00 PM – Lunch

1:30 - 3:00 PM – The Rhythm Section

3:00 PM – Break

3:30 - 4:30 PM – Session #2 (choose topic)

4:30 PM – Dinner

6:30 - 7:45 PM – Big Band Rehearsal

8:00 PM – Combos

8:30 AM – Warm up with Bethany

9:00 - 10:00 AM – Session #3 (choose topic)

10:00 AM – Break

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM – Teaching Improvisation in the Big Band Setting

12:00 PM – Lunch

1:30 - 3:00 PM – Teaching Jazz Style and Articulation to your wind players

3:00 PM – Break

3:30 - 4:30 PM – Session #4 (choose topic)

4:30 PM – Dinner

6:30 - 7:45 PM – Big Band Rehearsal

8:00 PM – Combos

8:30 AM – Warm up with Bethany

9:00 - 10:00 AM – Session #5 (choose topic)

10:00 AM – Break

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM – Q & A Panel with facult

12:00 PM – Lunch

1:30 - 3:00 PM – Teaching Jazz Style and Articulation to your wind players

3:00 PM – Break

3:30 - 4:30 PM – Session #6 (choose topic)

4:30 PM – Dinner

7:00 PM – Final concert

Available Topics

1) Jazz Chords and Scales

2) Rehearsal Strategies for Jazz Ensemble

3) Materials and Repertoire for Jazz Ensemble

4) Starting a Jazz Combo Program

5) Starting a Jazz Ensemble from Scratch

6) Programming for Concerts and Festivals

7) Observation of combo rehearsals

8) Drum Set 101

9) Developing the Jazz Bass Player

10) Piano Comping

11) What Do I Do with the Guitar Player?

2025 Fees & deadlines

Fees 

  • Tuition: $600
    • $100 non-refundable enrollment deposit due at registration (credited towards tuition). If you do not wish to pay tuition in full at the time of initial registration, please do not select the tuition option prior to completing registration, however tuition must be paid in full by the payment deadline in order to participate in the program.
  • Housing (Optional): $165

Deadlines 

  • Registration: May 1, 2025
  • Payment: May 15, 2025

How to apply

  1. Eligibility: Middle school and high school jazz band directors.
  2. Application process: To apply, please complete the online registration form.
  3. Payment: Accepting payment via credit card or check. Payment must be remitted to IU Conferences as iuconfs@iu.edu. 
  4. Cancellation Policy: Click here for our most up to date cancellation policy.

Register for Summer 2025

Once you have completed the previous steps, please submit the Participant Agreement Form