National Jazz Workshop - A Summer Jazz Camp at Shenandoah University

Registration & Fees

This page contains everything you need to know about the different ways to participate in the workshop, registration instructions, forms and other important information.

Who May Participate?

The National Jazz Workshop is designed for students, educators, professionals and jazz enthusiasts of all levels and abilities, but you must be a rising 9th grader or older to participate.

Choose a Track

There are four tracks to choose from.

Choose a Track
Performance This track focuses on improvisation, jazz pedagogy, and instrument-specific master classes and other instructional opportunities.
Arranging This track focuses on jazz arranging, orchestration and composition. Theory and transposition skills are necessary for this level.
Studio Recording Directed by Golder O'Neill. This track provides a hands-on learning experience in a real recording studio. Students will study recording techniques, multi-track recording, signal path, microphone types, microphone placement, and more. Toward the end of the week, students will experience a real studio recording project with live musicians, then mix and master the recording with Pro Tools.
Introduction to Music Techhology This track provides a beginner's level survey of music technology. Students will experience introductory, hands-on instruction with mixers, effects, compression, MIDI, sound modules, recording, editing audio on a computer, digital audio workstations, audio interfaces, and analog synthesis.
Observation Ideal for educators. Observe students or audit seminars and classes on your own schedule (subject to space availability). This track is available to adults only, playing or non-playing status.

Choose a Classification

Examine the following chart, and choose the classification that most closely describes your level of jazz knowledge and experience.

Choose a Classification
Beginner Little to no playing experience or jazz theory knowledge
Intermediate Some playing experience and some knowledge of jazz theory such as scales, chords, etc.
Advanced Substantial playing experience and knowledge of jazz theory

Students in grades 9-12 will need to have their choice of classification approved by their band director or private instructor, as indicated on the registration form. This will ensure proper placement in jazz theory and arranging classes, and does not affect ensemble placement.

Choose a Playing Status

There are two playing statuses to choose from: playing and non-playing. Those participating in a playing status will be assigned to play in big bands and small groups. Those participating in a non-playing status will not play in any ensembles.

Choose a Playing Status
Playing You will be assigned to play in big bands and small groups (high school seniors and younger must sign up for this status).
Non-Playing You will not play in any ensembles. If you want to choose this status you must be at least 18 years of age and in either the arranging track or recording/production track.

What Must I Send In?

All participants, regardless of playing status or track, must submit a completed registration form (see below).

You are encouraged to submit a recording for ensemble placement, but this is not mandatory. If you do not feel comfortable making a recording, or you are unable to, you will still be placed in an ensemble.

Depending on the track you choose, you may have to submit additional information. All participants who wish to have a playing status must submit the following items:

  1. A completed jazz theory placement form (see below)
  2. A recording of yourself playing at least two of the following:
    1. A jazz etude, transcription or jazz ensemble part of your choice
    2. A jazz tune play-a long of your choice, improvisation is encouraged but optional
    3. Anything that shows your abilities (could be from a concert, jazz scales or anything you want to play for the NJW staff)
Form Form Contents PDF
Jazz Theory Placement Form (Treble Clef) When you complete this short theory test, please do your own work. This is done for your own benefit, so you can be placed in the classes that are appropriate for you.
Jazz Theory Placement Form (Bass Clef) When you complete this short theory test, please do your own work. This is done for your own benefit, so you can be placed in the classes that are appropriate for you.

A few suggestions: if you are a trumpet player and you prefer to play lead trumpet, send a recording that shows your abilities in that area. If you just like to play in the section, just send a recording of yourself doing what you feel comfortable doing.

Woodwinds: feel free to demonstrate your doubles.

If you are a guitar, piano or bass player send something that shows that you can play chord changes, a bass line or a jazz standard.

If you are a drummer send something that shows your ability to swing, play funk and other grooves or excerpts from a recent performance.

These recordings do not need to be long--the whole idea here is to place individuals in appropriate ensembles prior to arriving at NJW in order to conserve valuable instructional time at the workshop. Once the workshop is underway, personnel adjustments may be made if needed.

If you are having a problem deciding on what to play please feel free to contact Matt Niess at matt.niess@nationaljazzworkshop.org for guidance. These recordings can be in any format you wish (e.g. MP3, video) as long as it can be submitted via email. You may also submit recordings on a CD via snail mail.

There is a multitude of material available on the Free Stuff page here on the NJW website.

Registration Form

To register for the National Jazz Workshop, please fill out, sign and return the registration form seen below. It is a "fill-outable" PDF form, so once you open it up in Adobe Reader, you can type your information right into the document. Then, you can print it out, sign it and mail it in.

You can click on the PDF icon in the chart below, and the PDF document should appear in your browser. Or, you can right-click on the PDF icon and save the document to your hard drive so you can fill it out later.

Form Form Contents PDF
Registration Form This form covers everything you need to register for the workshop: registration information, medical information, rules and regulations, and payment details.

Fee Schedule

The fees for the workshop are as follows:

Fee Schedule
Workshop Tuition $200 This covers the cost of participating in the classes and ensembles, with the exception of the technology track.
Dormitory Fee $195 This covers five nights of lodging in the Shenandoah University dormitories. Adult chaperones will stay in the dormitories and supervise minors. Dormitories are air conditioned. Minors will be assigned a roommate. Participants may request a preferred roommate and NJW will try to honor all such requests. Adults may request a private room. Linens are not provided, so please bring your own.
Meal Plan $135 This covers 15 meals at the Shenandoah University dining facilities. If you wish, instead of purchasing a meal plan, you may pay cash for each meal individually. For more information, visit the Shenandoah University Dining Services website.

Tuition payments are non-refundable as these funds are applied to expenses such as insurance, equipment rental, and other similar costs. Dormitory and meal plan fees are refundable before July 1, 2011.

Choose a Payment Method

There are several payment options, as seen in the chart below.

Choose a Payment Method
PayPal On the registration form, check the "PayPal" box. See the PayPal links below to pay by PayPal. Then, mail in your registration form.
Credit Card On the registration form, check the "credit card" box and supply your credit card information on the registration form. Mail in your registration form.
Check On the registration form, check the "check" box. When you send in your registration form, include a check along with it. Make check payable to National Jazz Workshop.
Money Order On the registration form, check the "money order" box. When you send in your registration form, include a money order along with it. Make money order payable to National Jazz Workshop.
Pay by PayPal
Workshop Tuition $200
Dormitory Fee $195
Meal Plan $135
Miscellaneous Amount


Send in Your Forms

Send completed registration form and payment to:

Matt Niess, Director

National Jazz Workshop

P.O. Box 1029

Ft. Myer, VA 22211