Falmouth - Yamaha Jazz Summer School

Fantastic tutors, amazing state-of-the-art facilities, and a beautiful Cornish setting: Falmouth University and Yamaha come together to host one of the most exciting jazz summer schools in the UK.

Working with top jazz players, this year featuring the amazing pianist Gwilym Simcock, the course enables you to further your skills, understanding, awareness and appreciation of jazz, all in a relaxed and friendly environment, and just a couple of miles from the sea.
Following the success of 2014, this year's course will again be run over six days, giving more chance to experience as much as possible of the course, playing opportunities and the facilities - and even a good dose of Cornish summer!

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
"Really enjoyed branching out musically from traditional jazz"
Jazz Summer School participant, 2014

The course is open for all instrumentalists and vocalists who are keen to explore and develop new skills in key areas of jazz language. This is a chance to gain valuable experience with practice and performance in a range of essential jazz styles and idioms.
Whether just starting out, or playing in rehearsal bands and gigging, or involved in full time music education, the combination of course and facilities makes the Falmouth-Yamaha Jazz Summer School a terrific opportunity to extend your jazz understanding, appreciation, and playing range.

The summer school thrives on bringing people with a wide range of age and experience to the course - from younger dedicated and enthusiastic music students, to older devoted part-time or semi-pro jazz players - and this rich diversity of members creates a wonderfully exciting and supportive learning environment. For young players considering music in Higher Education this is a valuable taster of an intensive music study. For the more experienced, it is a great chance to connect with others of like mind, exploring new ideas and ways of playing.

"For a relative novice and after a significant gap in musical education, this was a wonderful re-introduction" Jazz Summer School participant, 2014

HOW IS THE COURSE TAUGHT?
"Healthy mixture of work and relaxation" Jazz Summer School participant, 2014
The course aims to provide a concentrated learning experience for players of varied levels of skill and experience. At the outset, medium sized groups are formed with 10-12 members at a similar level. Each group has a main tutor for the week, with all the tutors working with each group at least once during the course, covering a wide range of standard, contemporary and original material.

MORNINGS
Mornings are focused on developing playing skills in the medium sized groups, specifically: scales, chords, harmony, rhythm, improvisation, repertoire, ensemble playing and sectional practices.
AFTERNOONS
Afternoons see a variety of activities - from large group sessions with a special theme, to small group options ranging from extended sessions towards the evening jazz club sessions, instrumental workshops, theory and harmony, improvisation and experimental sessions, listening groups, recording sessions and on the 21st the Yamaha guest jazz artist master class with Gwilym Simcock.
EVENINGS
Preparation for the evening jazz club and concerts begin in the afternoon, generally after the tea-break but sometimes as early as after lunch. The evening sessions begin at 7.30pm and to gain live playing experience, try out new ideas and techniques learnt in the workshop and tuition sessions, or sit back and enjoy the fun! As the week progresses this sessions lead to a final night concert, which may go on into the small hours! The 21st evening will also include a concert with Gwilym Simcock and the Tutors band.

A number of course-only bursaries will be available. Please see the tuition fees section for details.