Music
Summer Jazz Institute &
Concert Band Intensive
Register Here
Summer Jazz Institute
July 7 – July 12, 2024
8:45am – 4pm daily (additional evening activities optional for commuters)
Cost
Residential: $1,250
Commuter: $750
The Rutgers Summer Jazz Institute is ideal for High School and Middle School instrumentalists (rising 7th graders through rising college freshman) interested in improving their jazz improvisation, small group, and large ensemble skills. Students engage in daily rehearsals, masterclasses, and special events with the renowned, award-winning jazz camp faculty. The one-week-long camp also contains an Honors component for those who qualify.
Commuter and residential options are available for rising 9th – rising college freshman. Rising 7th – rising 8th graders are welcomed to participate as commuters. Daily sample itinerary can be found here.
Note: Students wishing to be considered for Jazz Honors Band are asked to submit a video demo as part of the application process. Otherwise, video submissions are not required to apply. All students are encouraged to complete a live jazz ensemble placement audition on Sunday, the first day of camp. Though they are not required, live audition results serve to advise top ensemble placement and ranking considerations.
Concert Band Intensive
July 14 – July 19, 2024
9am – 4:30pm daily
Cost
Residential: $1,000
Commuter: $550
Wind musicians and percussionists (rising 7th — 12th graders) are challenged to elevate their artistry and technique during a week of band and chamber music training with top-notch faculty. Large ensemble rehearsals are led by Dr. Todd Nichols, Director of University Bands; and Dr. Julia Baumanis, Associate Director of Bands, at Rutgers. Group lessons, clinics, electives, master classes and performances by renowned artists round out the schedule.
Commuter and residential options are available for rising 9th – rising 12th graders. Rising seventh and rising 8th graders are welcomed to participate as commuters.
Note: There is no formal audition for Symphonic Band. However, campers should have at least two years’ experience playing an instrument. On the first day of camp, each student will be asked to play a short excerpt of their choosing (solo, etude, band music, etc.) so that they can be placed in the group most appropriate for their level of musicianship.
Concert Band Instruments: Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Eb Clarinet, Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion
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Todd Nichols
Dr. Todd Nichols currently serves as Director of University Bands at Rutgers University. His duties include oversight and administration of the university band program, directing the Marching Scarlet Knights and Symphonic Winds, and teaching various courses including undergraduate and graduate conducting. As Director of the Marching Scarlet Knights, Nichols led highly acclaimed performances for the NFL’s nationally televised Monday Night Football and for President Joe Biden.
Dr. Nichols annually serves as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and recording producer and is especially honored to have guest conducted the United States Army Field Band. Nichols is an advocate for new compositions supporting the efforts of composers in over 30 commissions. Nichols currently serves as President for the Big Ten Band Director’s Association.
As artistic director for the Eastern Wind Symphony, Nichols conducted highly acclaimed performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and recorded recent releases Resurgence and Elements. Under his direction, the EWS received multiple Grammy Award nominations of eligibility and have been invited to perform at major conventions including the 2021 and 2015 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, 2019 ACB National Convention, 2017 NAfME All Eastern Convention, and 2017 ITG Conference. In addition, Nichols currently serves as Assistant Conductor for the Garden State Symphonic Band.
For nineteen years Dr. Nichols served as Director of Bands at Roxbury and Edison High School in New Jersey, where his ensembles were recognized for outstanding performance at numerous local, state, and many prestigious national festivals and concerts. Dr. Nichols recently co-authored two articles accepted for publication in The Journal of Band Research and WASBE Journal. His professional affiliations include the B1G, WASBE, CBDNA, and AFM.