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Skidmore Jazz Institute
Application Information

2010 Application

Please read the ELIGIBILITY requirements and HOW TO APPLY information before submitting your application materials. If you are unable to download our application, or have further questions, please use our e-mail form or contact Maria McColl at 518-580-5595.

Dennis MackrelEligibility

Open to high-school age students and older, the program is geared toward participants whose ability levels range from intermediate to professional. Enrollment is limited due to combo instrumentation. College credit is available to interested matriculated students. Blue Note Records, perhaps the most historic and well-known jazz label, has established a scholarship program for deserving Jazz Institute students.

NOTE: The program is held in collaboration with the New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) School of Jazz Studies. New York State high-school students should apply by contacting:

New York State Summer School of the Arts
State Education Department
89 Washington Ave., Room 866 EBA
Albany, NY 12234
518-474-8773
nysssa@mail.nysed.gov
[Please note: Deadline for NYSSSA Applications is February 1.]


How to Apply
Application review begins March 1, 2010.

Jazz Institute applicants should mail:

-$30 application fee (credit card on application form or check made payable to Skidmore College)
-Audio Recording (specifics follow below)

Two (2) copies of the following:

-Completed application form
-Brief description of your musical background (jazz and non-jazz) indicating your preferred style(s) of jazz
-Letter of recommendation from a current teacher if you are a student

Audio Recording: To allow us to group combos and arrange classes an audio recording is required. Applicants may perform unaccompanied or with pre-recorded rhythm tracks as an accompaniment to the tunes. A live performance that clearly demonstrates your abilities is also acceptable. Recordings are not judged on the basis of their recorded quality. We realize that access to recording equipment will vary with each applicant, but we do ask that you try and produce the best recording possible.

A CD labeled with your name, instrument and selected titles containing 10- to 15- minutes of materials must include the following:

-two different styles of jazz performance: swing and ballad
(for each tune you should play the melody in its entirety followed by an improvised chorus)

Bass Players only:

-In addition to the previously listed materials, please include a walking bass line over two choruses of blues changes, quarter note = 120.  Bass players must perform on acoustic bass.

Drummers only:

        In addition to the previously listed materials, 
        your recording should include the following:
        -medium swing (sticks), quarter note = 132
        -up tempo swing (sticks), quarter note = 244
        -up-tempo swing (brushes), quarter note = 244
        -Latin (sticks), half note = 120
        -ballad (sticks), quarter note = 60
        -ballad (brushes), quarter note = 60
        -rock or funk (sticks), quarter note = 92

Application review begins March 1, 2010. Send completed application materials postmarked by March 1 to:

Don McCormack, Director, Skidmore Jazz Institute
Office of the Dean of Special Programs
Skidmore College
815 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-1632

International Students

In accordance with U.S. Federal regulations, all non-U.S. citizens must have a student visa to study in the United States. If you are an international student applying to the summer program please click here.