Kids Making Music In The Dog Days Of Summer

By Nancy Klein

Staying around town in August?  No worries. Not all the great day camps end in July. If your teen or tween plays an instrument or loves to sing, Jazz House Kid's Summer Instrumental and Choral Jazz Workshop is going to be perfect for them.

Running from August 9 to 21 in downtown Montclair, the full-day camp is under the creative direction of Grammy winning bassist Christian McBride, camp director and saxophonist Mike Lee, and Janet Lemansky of JazzConnections. Budding musicians ages nine through 18 will learn everything from composition and improvisation to jam session etiquette. Jazz House Kids also offers a full slate of classes for fall.

This is not your typical "drop your kid off and go" camp.  Every afternoon the camp hosts a free open-to-the-public Community Showcase with noted local jazz artists, faculty, and students. The big highlight of the summer camp workshop is a series of student performances -- an evening at the renowned New York City jazz club Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola and two nights at Montclair's own Trumpets.

Campers also will participate in a final performance at the First Annual Jazz House Kids Outdoor Festival on Saturday, August 21, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The community event is supported in part by the Montclair Department of Parks and Recreation. 

For more information about the camp program, contact Jazz House Kids at 973-744-2273 or download a brochure at www.jazzhousekids.org. 

Jazz House Kids' Summer Choral and Instrumental Jazz Workshop
When:      August 9 - 21, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where:    Montclair Salvation Army Citadel
                   13 Trinity Place, Montclair
Ages:        9 to 18 (Various skill levels welcome)
Tuition:  $800