July 18-21, 2018
At the NSU jazz camp, you'll have the opportunity to play in various jazz groups, take lessons, learn about improvisation, enjoy social and recreational activities and participate in nightly jam sessions.
Classes
All students will have a chance to be part of a jazz big band. Rehearsals will be held each day, with a final concert Saturday. You'll learn to play a variety of jazz styles, including swing, Latin and funk/rock.
Lessons
Each student will have one lesson, with the option of taking more. Lessons will help you improve tone, technique, style and improvisation.
Improvisation
Improvisation classes will be divided into beginning, intermediate and advanced groups. This is a great time to just get your feet wet or improve the improvisation skills you already have.
July 18-21, 2018
The NSU Voice Camp is ideal for young singers in grades 7-12 who love to sing and want to learn more about their voice and the world of the singer-actor in a supportive atmosphere.
Classes
Daily classes will include:
- Vocal warmups
- Health and care of your voice
- Stage deportment
- Song interpretation
- Diction for singers
- Acting
- Jazz
- Movement
- Small-group ensembles and choir
All students will participate in choral ensembles. Enjoy recreational and social activities while learning about music and vocal technique.
Lessons
Students are asked to bring one prepared song to work on in lessons and classes. Acceptable categories include classical art song, age-appropriate aria, folk song, or musical theater selection. It's helpful if the song is memorized or close to it. If you don't have a song to bring to camp, one will be assigned to you.
Each student will have one lesson, with the option of taking one additional voice lesson. Lessons will focus on posture, breathing, breath support, healthy production and projection.
July 29-Aug. 3, 2018
NSU Campus Band students entering grades 6-9 are welcome to attend the Rushmore National Junior High Music Camp on Northern's campus in Aberdeen. Guided by camp counselors, students stay in Northern dorms and enjoy meals in NSU's dining hall, the Wolves' Den.
The camp offers many performance opportunities and individual lessons from music educators and professionals, as well as daily recreational activities. For details, follow the camp on Facebook.
Nov. 7, 2018
The Northern State University Music Department introduces the first annual NSU Instrument Day!
This unique opportunity, replacing the NSU Band Clinic and Clarinet Day, will take place at the beautiful Johnson Fine Arts Center on the NSU campus. The day begins with registration at 8:30 a.m., after which students will work side by side with experienced, expert clinicians and instrument groups will rehearse. Large and small ensembles will perform at a 3 p.m. final concert.
Registration is open to high school and advanced middle school students who play flute, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone (alto, tenor, or bari), horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, or strings. The fee is $20 per person and includes lunch and a T-shirt. Registration details will be announced.
For more information, contact Dr. Audrey Miller.
Jan. 17, 2019
Johnson Fine Arts Center, NSU
Ensembles eligible to perform at the festival
- Big Band: A minimum of nine instrumental musicians performing with the traditional Big Band part assignments
- Jazz Combo: A maximum of eight musicians - usually with at least a bass, drums, and piano or guitar. Including instrumentalists or solo singers is very common.
- Vocal Jazz Ensemble/Swing Choir: A vocal ensemble that performs jazz with a minimum of dancing. (No show choirs, please)
- Details and Rules
Contacts
Vocal - Dr. Wendy van Gent, wendy.vangent@northern.edu, 605-626-7753
Band - Dr. Grant Manhart, grant.manhart@northern.edu, 605-626-2982
Band - Dr. Terry Beckler, terry.beckler@northern.edu, 605-626-3436
Summer 2018
The annual Arts Education Institute (AEI) offers professional development in arts and learning for South Dakota teachers and pre-K-12 administrators.
However, you don't have to be an educator to attend AEI. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this fun-filled week of learning featuring:
- Ways to infuse the arts into classrooms
- Curriculum development
- Hands-on art and music workshops
AEI is offered for up to two graduate, undergraduate or recertification credits (optional). Find details at Arts South Dakota-Arts Education Institute.
