4th Annual Jazz Week@Wayne: July 19-23, 2010 • Early bird auditions begin at Jazz Frenzy in Rochester on Saturday, March 20

Beginning in 2007, the Wayne State University Department of Music embarked on a long-term partnership with the Detroit International Jazz Festival, serving as their Educational Advisor. Jazz Week@Wayne, one result of this collaboration, is a one-week workshop that provides forty high school students with an intensive and rewarding jazz education. All participants, selected from surrounding high schools, are awarded full scholarships to attend the program.  

Jazz Week@Wayne, a historic initiative for Detroit, combines the artistic and educational forces of two jazz entities, the Detroit International Jazz Festival and the Wayne State University Department of Music. The Detroit Jazz Fest, a long-time supporter of jazz education, and WSU have committed to an innovative collaboration that supports the area's talented young musicians.

Guided by WSU's faculty and guest artists from the area and the Detroit International Jazz Festival, students will study jazz improvisation, theory, and ensemble playing. They will work in master class settings, jam sessions, and small and large ensemble rehearsals with WSU Jazz Faculty Christopher Collins (Professor and Director of Jazz Studies), Russell Miller (Associate Professor and Educational Director of Jazz Week), and Rob Pipho (instrumental jazz and improvisation).

Jazz Week at Wayne culminates in two public performances. All Jazz Week participants will perform in a concert on Friday, July 23. Outstanding Jazz Week students will be selected for a position in the Detroit Jazz Festival All-Star Youth Ensemble, which will be announced at the July 23 performance. The All-Star Youth Ensemble will perform on a main stage at the 2010 Detroit International Jazz Festival.

Four Audition dates for 2010 Jazz Week@Wayne: Jazz Week Audition Request Form

* Saturday, March 20: 10:00 am, Jazz Frenzy: Zeitgeist 116 East Fourth Street, Rochester, MI 48307

At WSU:

Saturday, May 8: 9:00 am-4:00 pm, 2414 Old Main, 480 W. Hancock

Saturday, May 15: 9:00 am-4:00 pm, 2414 Old Main, 480 W. Hancock

Saturday, May 22: 9:00 am-4:00 pm, 2414 Old Main, 480 W. Hancock

* Jazz Frenzy is a day of jazz auditions, rehearsal techniques and an evening concert.  The event will be held in two locations: Zeitgeist in Rochester (auditions and rehearsals) and Schaver Music Recital Hall in WSU's Old Main Building (Big Band concert).  Because students who audition for Jazz Week@Wayne at Jazz Frenzy may be selected to rehearse and perform with the WSU Big Band through the afternoon and evening, auditioning students need to commit to spending the afternoon and evening at the event. If you cannot commit to spending the day at Jazz Frenzy in Rochester, please chose a May audition date.

View a short video of Christian McBride's Jazz Week@Wayne class here.  (This is a 11 MB video courtesy of Joseph Productions Inc, DTVN LLC)

View photos from Jazz Week 2009

View photos from Jazz Week 2008

View photos from the 2007 Campus Martius performance.