Prospectus

A Prospectus for COTA CampJazz

“They come to COTA to play;
they come to COTA CampJazz to teach.”


Goal
To expand and further develop initiatives established by the Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts (COTA) in the study by young musicians of Jazz – one of America’s indigenous art forms by establishing a COTA Jazz-in-the-Schools program and COTA CampJazz.

Specifics

I. COTA Jazz-in-the-Schools will present a quartet of Jazz musicians – graduates of the COTA Cat program – in April (Jazz Appreciation Month) to all the intermediate and high schools in Monroe, Pike, portions of Wayne and Northern Northampton Counties during a band rehearsal period to promote the Art of Jazz. The COTAlums will also increase awareness of current programs (The COTA Cats, The Young Bucks and Does Master Classes at the Deer Head Inn) and recruit for COTA CampJazz.

II. COTA CampJazz will be a week-long day camp for young jazz musicians, with a focus on improvisation and small-ensemble performance.

Participants: Student musicians from grades 8–12 with the ability and desire to learn to play jazz
When: Monday, July 28 – Sunday, August 3, 2008
Where: Delaware Water Gap, PA at the Castle Inn (the site of the COTA Festival), the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain, and the Deer Head Inn

Faculty:

  • Phil Woods
  • Rick Chamberlain
  • Bob Dorough
  • Dave and Caris Liebman
  • Jesse Green
  • Spencer Reed
  • Jim Daniels
  • The COTA Festival Orchestra


COTAlums: Evan Gregor, Bobby Avey, Matt Vashlishin, Jay Rattman, Chuck Cooper

Curriculum: (level specific)

  • Improvisational training
  • Small-ensemble playing
  • Big Band Workshops
  • Theory of improvisation and arranging for a small group
  • Ear training
  • Listening workshops
  • Daily lunchtime concerts at the Deer Head Inn feturing faculty and a class with one of COTA’s Jazz Masters
  • Students will explore the Al Cohn Memorial Jazz Collection at the East Stroudsburg University Library.
  • Students will visit Red Rock Recording Studio for a master class with owner Kent Heckman and each ensemble will have a chance to record a cut highlighting their week’s efforts.
  • The week will conclude with student concerts, open to the public, at performance venues in Delaware Water Gap.