Jordan College of Fine Arts
Butler Community Arts School

Adult Big-Band Workshop

Sunday, July 15, Pre-camp orientation and Auditions, 2pm-5pm
Sunday through Wednesday, July 22-25, 6pm-9pm, Big-band rehearsals
Thursday, July 26, 7pm-9pm, Family Concert at Butler
Friday, July 27, 6pm-9pm, Performance at the Jazz Kitchen,
Lilly Hall at Butler University's Jordan College of Fine Arts
Tuition - $215
Postmark deadline: May 15 extended to June 1 (full payment due by June 15)
Adult Big-Band Registration Form (PDF)

This week-long workshop provides the opportunity for adults with intermediate to advanced skills on their instrument to participate in a true big band learning experience under the direction of a professional staff. Faculty will include Mark Buselli, Matt Pivec, Gary Walters, Harry Miedema, Brent Wallarab and Jim Edison. Performance charts will be selected from those typical of Basie, Miller, Nestico, Ellington, Kenton, and Holman. Bands will consist of saxophones, trombones, trumpets, piano, bass, guitar and drums. The workshop begins with orientation and auditions on Sunday afternoon (July 15) followed by daily evening band rehearsals during the week of July 22 starting at 6:00 pm. The culmination of the week is a performance at Indy's well-known spot for jazz - The Jazz Kitchen.

Applicants typically are adults from all walks of professional life who are not professional musicians but have continued to maintain their interest in playing. Participants should be able to read music at the intermediate level and ideally have had at least some minimal experience in reading jazz or big band charts. Improvisation skills are not required but some improvisation training will be provided during the week.

Early registration is advised due to the limited number of positions available to assemble bands. Registrations which are not accepted will have the entire deposit refunded.

OPTIONAL classes will be offered each evening at either 4:00-4:50 or 5:00-5:50 (Monday through Thursday), prior to the big band rehearsals at 6:00.  Classes subject to change.  Limited class size.  Class fee $50.

  • Jazz Sightreading (4:00-4:50) is designed to help the student cope with the rigorous demands of jazz rhythms, inflections and articulations.
  • Jazz Improv/Theory (5:00-5:50) explores the art of creating an improvised solo by exploring chord/scale theory, rhythm, and listening examples.
  • Jazz History (4:00-4:50) explores the big band era & the social and economic factors that helped the art form blossom.
  • Jazz Combo/Arranging (5:00-5:50) explores various ways to arrange/play a song.

For more information, please contact Karen Thickstun at (317) 940-5500, (800) 368-6852, ext. 5500 or BCAS@butler.edu.