middle school
jazz academy
seeks you!
Middle School Jazz Academy (MSJA) seeks New York City middle school students interested in instrumental
jazz instruction. Sixty (60) middle school musicians will be awarded full scholarships providing group classes
and private lessons throughout the school year at various locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Students will be selected based on their interest in jazz, exceptional dedication to music, desire to work in an
ensemble of their peers and an ability to commit to this rigorous and rewarding jazz immersion experience.
Students learn from outstanding faculty and guest musicians, including members of the Jazz at Lincoln
Center Orchestra and receive tickets to performances and educational events at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
program goals
activities
→ Provide students with an opportunity to thrive in
a supportive and challenging jazz environment
→ Saturday classes from 9am to 2pm, October through
May – including Jazz Language, Listening and Learning with the Jazz Masters and Ensemble Instruction
→ Reach talented students who may not otherwise
be able to afford private music instruction
→ Instill a love of jazz, a respect for self
and an appreciation of community
→ Awaken and enhance listening skills,
creativity, imagination, and discipline
→ Weekly 45-minute private instrumental lessons
(full scholarship recipients)
→ Master classes and interdisciplinary workshops
→ Recreational Activities
msja faculty
2015-16 Program Schedule
The MSJA faculty, led by Head of Instruction, Eli Yamin,
consists of accomplished jazz musicians, deeply
committed to teaching and mentoring today’s youth
through innovative and effective methods
1st Semester
October 2015 through January 2016
2nd Semester
February 2016 through May 2016
Showcase Concerts
January and May 2016
‘Now I have music that I can share with my kids. Jazz is
more than music, it transcends to life. I love this program
and everything that is being done for my family.’
LESLIE ANN JACK, MSJA PARENT
eligibility
Students must:
→ Have played an instrument a minimum of
one year and demonstrate fluency on at
least three major scales
→ Be entering grades 6, 7 or 8 for the 2015-16
school year
→ Live or attend school in one of the five
New York City boroughs
→ Be willing to commit to practicing at least 45 minutes a day and listening to jazz at least
one hour, five days a week
→ Be eager to learn more about jazz
Full scholarships are given to students from families
of limited means
Accepted students are eligible to participate in the
program for a maximum of two years and are required
to reapply each year
Instruments:
Saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone), trumpet,
trombone, piano, bass (acoustic or electric), drums,
percussion, guitar, flute clarinet, tuba/euphonium, violin
‘More than a style of music, jazz can be a celebration,
a tribute, or a gathering when played. Jazz is the most
unique style of music. There are big bands, quintets,
quartets and trios. Almost every instrument can be
a jazz instrument. To me, jazz is an amazing style
of music expressing emotion that everybody, every
instrument, every skin color, every nationality can play.’
— Cole Davis, MSJA Student
application
Please carefully review and complete all parts of
the application and submit all requested materials
→ Completed application form
→ Written statements from a band director, a
music teacher or guidance counselor and the
student applicant
Verbal
Students should be prepared to answer the question,
“What would you like to learn about jazz?”
After the first round of auditions, a limited number of
students will be invited via mail and/or phone to return
for a callback audition and a family interview.
The Middle School Jazz Academy has been made
possible with leadership support from the
Altman Foundation.
Important Dates
Jazz at Lincoln Center gratefully acknowledges
the Irene Diamond Fund for its major support of
programming in the Irene Diamond Education Center.
→ A copy of the first two pages of the parent or guardians’ most current tax forms (2013 or 2014) indicating total annual household income
Application Deadline
March 27, 2015
→ Invitations to audition are given to qualifying students once all required materials are submitted
First Round Auditions
Monday, April 13 3:30pm-7:30pm
Wednesday, April 15 3:30pm-7:30pm
Thursday, April 16 3:30pm-7:30pm
Sunday, April 19 10:00am-4:00pm
tuition
Sixty students will be awarded full tuition scholarships
based on application, audition and family interview.
audition information
After submitting a complete application form,
qualifying students will be invited to audition.
Invitations will be offered based on demonstrated
financial need, student comments and teacher
recommendation.
Student auditions run approximately fifteen minutes
and will include the following:
Performance
Perform two contrasting pieces of the student’s choice
Scales
Play three different major scales
Sight Reading
Sight read a song consisting of simple rhythms and
melodic ideas, along with some syncopated rhythms
Melodic and Rhythmic Patterns
A faculty member will tap a series of short rhythmic
patterns and melodies and the student will repeat
them
Late applications will be considered if audition space is available
Audition Locations
Auditions will take place a various schools across
Manhattan, Brooklyn and Bronx. Site Coordinators will
contact families directly to schedule audition, time,
date and location.
Callback Auditions
May 16, 17, 19, 20, 2015
Notification of Acceptance
Families will be notified via mail by
June 13, 2015
For More Information:
Call 212 258-9789
Email [email protected]
Visit jazz.org/msja
Additional support is provided by Ron Daniel, Little
Johnny Koerber and Kari Kronberg, the Price Family
Foundation, The Surdna Foundation and Kurt Tatum.
jazz at lincoln center’s middle school jazz academy application form
Application due March 27, 2015
Mail to
Late applications will be considered unless audition space is available.
Middle School Jazz Academy
Jazz at Lincoln Center
3 Columbus Circle, 12th Floor
New York, ny 10019
Fax to
212-258-9900
part 1
To be completed by the parent and student
Student First Name
Student Last Name
Date of Birth
Current Grade (2014–15)
Grade (2015–16)
Instrument
Parent(s) or Guardian(s) First Name(s)
Parent(s) or Guardian(s) last Name(s)
Home Phone Number
Work Phone Number
Parent Cell (1)
Parent Cell (2)
E-mail (1)
E-mail (2)
Mailing Address
Name of Middle School
Name of Music Program outside of school (if applicable)
Music Teacher(s)
Music Teacher’s Phone Number(s)
Music Teacher’s e-mail
School Address
Part 2
Parents/guardians: You must include a copy of the first two pages of your
most current tax form (2013 or 2014) indicating total annual household income.
jazz at lincoln center’s middle school jazz academy application form
Part 3
Student First Name
Student Last Name
Parent First Name
Parent Last Name
To be completed by the student. All answers must be neatly handwritten in the space provided below and brought with you to your first round audition.
1. How did you hear about this program?
2. Why do you want to be a part of this program? Why do you want to learn about jazz?
jazz at lincoln center’s middle school jazz academy application form
Part 4
To be completed by music teacher, band director or guidance counselor
Answer the questions below on a separate piece of paper and mail with student’s application or fax:
1. Identify Student’s Name and School/Organization
2. How many major scales can your student comfortably play?
3. Describe your student’s ability to play by ear and read music.
4. Why should your student be admitted to the Middle School Jazz Academy?
Part 5
Prioritize the choices from the following list according to your preference. Place a 1 next to your first choice, a 2 next to your second choice,
a 3 next to your third choice and a 4 next to your fourth choice. Please indicate if you are unable to attend any of the following dates.
First Round Audition Dates
Monday, April 13 3:30pm-7:30pm
Wednesday, April 15 3:30pm-7:30pm
Thursday, April 16 3:30pm-7:30pm
Sunday, April 19 10:00am-4:00pm
Part 6
I, the parent or guardian, certify to the best of my ability that the information in this application is correct.
Signature of Parent or Guardian
Date
I, the student, certify to the best of my ability that the information in this application is correct and that all questions in Part 3 were answered and written only by me.
Signature of Student
Please make sure that the student’s name appears on all papers.
Date