Summer jazz camp returns to UW-Green Bay campus

GREEN BAY – Space is still available to sign-up for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s upcoming jazz camp, “Jazz on the Bay: Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz and Gospel Choir.” Students entering grades 8 through 12 can sign up for the summer music camp, held June 22-28 at UW-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive.

UW-Green Bay jazz faculty artists and camp co-directors, John and Chris Salerno, are bringing back this one-of-a-kind jazz experience for instrumentalists and vocalists.

With a multitude of jazz styles and musical genres to choose from, students will have performance opportunities seldom seen in school programs. Their experience will combine vocal jazz ensembles with jazz ensemble instrumentalists, as well as featured tunes from each type of ensemble.

Jazz instructors from across the region will help participants become more confident and inspirational performers. Participants will experience the freedom of improvisation and the glow of amazing jazz harmonies as they perform with their peers.

Special features at the camp include a talent show, scholarships for the 2009 camp, a faculty concert featuring the instructors and more.

John Salerno, who directs the jazz program at UW-Green Bay, has toured with The Spinners and the Jackson Five and has performed backup for the Four Ladds, Mills Brothers, Bob Hope, Englebert Humperdink, and others.

Chris Salerno directs the UW-Green Bay Vocal Jazz Ensemble, which won an Outstanding Vocal Jazz Ensemble Award at the 2004 Elmhurst College Jazz Festival.

Jazz on the Bay begins with auditions and an all-camp meeting on Sunday, June 22. Classes meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Students who live on campus will have supervised evening activities.

The week will end with a free public concert at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 28 in UW-Green Bay’s University Theatre. Outstanding students will be chosen to receive partial scholarships to the 2009 jazz camp.

Students may attend the camp as commuters or they may live in student housing on the UW-Green Bay campus. Camp fees are $279 for commuters and $549 for residents. In addition to instruction, the residential fee includes room and board, counselor supervision, and transportation to evening activities.

Camp information and registration are available online at www.uwgb.edu/camps. Information also is available by phone at (920) 465-2267 or (800) 892-2118.

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#08-151 | Contact: Mike Heine heinem@uwgb.edu, (920) 465-2526