Auditions — June 11 between 2–4 p.m.

Following check-in, students will give a short live audition to camp faculty members, for placement in ensembles and classes.

Below are the music packet PDF and links to backing tracks for practice on each of the audition pieces. Please note that your audition will include only ONE selection.

• Jazz Camp audition music packet [pdf]
• "Billie's Bounce" practice track (Parker)
• "I Got Rhythm" practice track (Gershwin)

Wind Instruments

• Chromatic scale from lowest to highest note in your range.
• Melody and improvised solo (1–2 choruses) on one of the following tunes: "Billie’s Bounce" by Parker, "I Got Rhythm" by Gershwin.
• Both scale and tune should be performed at a moderate tempo. 

Piano, Guitar and Bass

• Piano and guitar — melody with comping.
• Bass — melody, followed by walking bass line.
• One chorus of just comping and improvised solo (1–2 choruses) on one of the following tunes: "Billie’s Bounce" by Parker, "I Got Rhythm" by Gershwin.

Drums

• Swing groove at 140 bpm
• Bossa Nova groove at 120 bpm
• Rock groove at 160 bpm
• Swing groove 4 bars and solo 4 bars

Questions? Email Professor Mike Smith at smith.8675@osu.edu

What to pack — What to bring

• Instrument and accessories including reeds, straps, valve/slide oil, amp cables, drum sticks, and cymbals (if desired).
• Physical or digital copy of The Real Book in your key and a phone or tablet with iReal Pro downloaded for use in classes and combos.
• Modest amount of spending money.
• Informal summer clothes — shorts, jeans, etc. for the daytime activities.
• Dress or dress pants with blouse or shirt and tie for the closing concert.
• Sweater or sweatshirt, as air-conditioned rooms can become cool.
• Umbrella or light rain jacket might also be needed.
• Water bottle
• Notebook or something to take notes.
• RESIDENTS: Personal toiletries, towels, wash cloths, blanket, linens and/or sleeping bag, pillow, alarm clock/app.
  • Note that bed/bath linens and pillow will NOT be provided.
• Also, review additional important information in these sections: Auditions, What to Expect, How to Prepare.

First Day Check-in: Thursday, June 11 — All students must check in.

Follow the directions below based on Resident or Commuter.

Parking for both Residents and Commuters

Park at Arps Garage, 1990 College Rd. 

• The entrance to Arps Garage is on 18th Ave. which runs between High St. and College Rd. 
• See the map in the section above.

Visit CampusParc for more information on campus parking, including fees.

Residents — Check in between 1–2:30 p.m. at Blackburn House, 136 W. Woodruff Ave.

STEP 1: Park in Arps Garage

STEP 2: Check-in — Blackburn House lobby

STEP 3: Proceed to your room to drop off your luggage. 

STEP 4: Between 1:30–3 p.m., proceed to the Timashev Family Music Building to check in for camp. 

• Arriving after 2:30 p.m.?  Please contact the program administrator at YouthSummerMusic@osu.edu to make special arrangements.
• Arriving/departing by air? Contact the program administrator to share your itinerary. Plan your departure for after 7 p.m. on the final day.

Directions to Blackburn House and parking. Be advised, there is no loading area at the residence hall for summer programs. Participants should park, unload, and walk to Blackburn House. It is a short walk! 

Commuters — Check in between 1:30–3 p.m. at the Timashev Family Music Building, 1900 College Rd.

STEP 1: Park at Arps Garage. Details above.

• Exit the garage onto College Rd. and walk south to the Timashev Music Building. 

STEP 2: Enter the North doors, on the plaza. Camp check-in is in the North Commons. 

Schedule

You will receive a detailed schedule at check-in. 

Overview

Thursday: 1–9:30 p.m.

Friday–Saturday: 8:45 a.m.–9:30 p.m.

Sunday: 8:45 a.m.–4 p.m. departure, following the finale concert

Meals

Meals are provided by a campus dining facility.

Residential campers will receive breakfast, lunch and dinner as part of their camp registration. 

Commuter campers will receive lunch and dinner as part of their camp registration.

Commuters — Daily Drop-off/Pick-up

Note the schedule you will receive at check-in and plan accordingly so that you can attend all sessions, events and performances.

After the first day of the program, use the Ohio Union South Loop driveway for daily drop-off/pick-up. 

• Located on 12th Ave. just south of the Ohio Union off of High St. 
• Refer to the map above.
• Program staff will be onsite to escort students to and from the drop-off/pick-up area.

This loop is a fire lane. 
Though it can be used as a loading zone, please remain with your car at all times and be prepared to move immediately in the event of an emergency. 

Commuters — Student Drivers

Students who drive to campus should plan ahead regarding parking. Build in your walking time from the parking location to ensure that you arrive on time for the first daily sessions. Students will not have access to their vehicle until the conclusion of the day, according to the daily schedule. 

• Be sure to pack an umbrella or light rain jacket each day.
• Parking on campus — Students may purchase Surface Lot Day Parking Passes through CampusParc. Day permits are available for $11.50/day (a significant savings over hourly parking), and may be purchased by creating a user account at osu.campusparc.com. Click “login” at the upper right corner of the home page, then click “Visitor” and create a new account. Day permits are good for one calendar day and are valid in any unrestricted permit space campus-wide.
  • Note that day permits are not valid in marked paid hourly spaces, at single space meters, or in parking garages.
• The parking lot at Ohio Stadium is closest to the Timashev Family Music Building. 

The School of Music is not liable for any parking fines a student receives when parking on or near campus or for any vehicular damage while on campus.

If you wish to park in a parking garage at approx. $20/daily, use Arps Garage, 1990 College Rd. 

• The entrance to Arps Garage is on 18th Ave. which runs between High St. and College Rd. 
• See the map in the section above.

We encourage you to visit the CampusParc website to familiarize yourself with payment procedures via credit card at Pay-on-Foot machines, as well as the $48 fee for a lost parking ticket.

Public Concerts and Parking — for families and guests

Parents and family members are welcome to attend the following Jazz Camp performances. 

These concerts will be held in the new Timashev Family Music Building. 

Performances

Friday  •  7:30 p.m. — Faculty recital (subject to change)
Sunday  •  2 p.m. — Finale concert 

Parking

• Park at Arps Garage, 1990 College Rd. 
  • The entrance to Arps Garage is on 18th Ave. which runs between High St. and College Rd. 
• See the map in the section above.

Visit CampusParc for more information on campus parking, including fees.

Last Day Check-out: Sunday, June 14 

Dorm check-out for residents will take place following the final event of their camp. Students will need to pack their belongings, and leave luggage in their room on the final morning of their program. Following the final performance, students and families will return to their dorm to collect their bags/belongings, then return their key to the front desk.

LOST KEY CHARGE — Due to the need for building security for summer guests and student residents during the academic year, students will be billed if their dorm swipe card is lost. The cost to replace a lost swipe card is $15. All swipe cards must be turned in to Conference Housing at the conclusion of the program. Students will be assessed a $15 fee if a swipe card is not returned at time of checkout.

What to Expect at Jazz Camp 

Each day of Jazz Camp will offer the opportunity to interact with Ohio State jazz faculty as well as fellow students in rehearsals, classes, concerts and recreational activities. Classes include Jazz History and Styles, Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Theory, and instrument-specific master classes with instructors. Rehearsals include big bands and combos directed by Jazz Studies faculty. All students will be placed in both the big band and a combo. Concerts include a faculty concert and a finale concert featuring all student musicians. Recreation activities include jam sessions for participants, led by Ohio State jazz students.

What can you do to prepare? 

• Practice improvising on tunes you know.
• Transcribe parts of solos to discuss with faculty.
• Review your scales (chromatic, major, minor).
• Bring a notebook so you can keep track of new information.