The Teachers College Music Improv Camp for Middle and High School Students has become a summer mainstay at TC since 2004, attracting dozens of young musicians from throughout the tri-state area.
This year’s Music Improv Camp, which will feature award-winning jazz saxophonist Erica von Kliest and vocalist Wanda Ray Willis as guest artists, is scheduled for July 20–24, 2009.
TC alumnus and Adjunct Music Professor Bert Konowitz has been organizing an improv camp at TC since 2004 that draws middle and high school students from throughout the tri-state area.
TC’s Music Improv Camp is open to everyone from singers and percussionists to keyboard and guitar players, and Konowitz says the students learn to improvise on jazz standards, as well as blues, rock, ragas and even world and classical music.
The goal of TC’s Music Improv Camp is to teach students the concepts and skills of improvisation while enabling them to develop their self-confidence. “Lots of camps emphasize what students can’t do,� Konowitz says, “we do the opposite.� He also believes that the camp helps develop leadership skills.