The Jazz Institute

  The Conservatory has one of the longest running jazz programs in the United States. Over the last forty-plus years, it has been a significant presence in the world of jazz and has produced many well-known performers.

The Jazz Institute at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is the recipient of the Eric D. Batterman Memorial Grant. This generous grant from the Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation has enabled us to significantly expand our jazz offerings. The Jazz Institute offers jazz instruction and performance opportunities for all ages. Students learn from our faculty of seasoned jazz performers and also have the chance to work with world renowned guest artists.

In 2011, the Jazz Institute is pleased to have Grammy winning trumpeter/composer/bandleader Brian Lynch serve as artist-in-residence for a second year. In addition, the incredible alto saxophonist Vincent Herring will perform in concert and present a Master Class for our students and for the community.


JAZZ PROGRAM
High school and adult instrumentalists and vocalists wanting to pursue a curriculum of study in jazz music can enroll in the Jazz Program in which individual instruction and a group experience in a jazz combo class are paired at a special rate.

• The Conservatory’s Jazz Program is open to high school and adult instrumentalists and vocalists wanting to pursue a curriculum of study in jazz music. Individual instruction and group experience in a jazz combo each semester are included in the program.

• Individual instruction with a member of the Conservatory’s faculty will give each student the opportunity to work at his or her own pace, to strengthen skills, technique and musicianship. Instruction will also cover jazz theory and improvisation. Call to arrange a specific instructor, lesson time and location. 

• Weekly Jazz Combos-Receive $25 off when registered for at least 15 weeks of individual instruction! The combo experience enables students to use the skills learned during the lessons. Using standard jazz repertoire, students will get practical experience in honing their ensemble and improvisation skills. Each student will be assigned to a group that best meets his/her skill level and schedule. 12 weeks. 

• New Student Placement Hearings: A placement hearing ensures that ensembles consist of players with similar abilities. Students should perform a piece that best demonstrates their ability to play jazz. Standard repertoire is preferred.

New Student Placement Hearings for the Spring 2012 semester will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012, or by appointment. The deadline for a placement hearing is Saturday, February 4, 2012. Please call 414/276-5760 to schedule an appointment.

Students may also register for individual instruction, combos or classes independently from the Jazz Program.

Click on class links below to find specific class information or scroll down on page for detailed class information including time, location, instructor and date.

Beginning Jazz Piano | $198
Explore the essentials of jazz harmony as you learn a repertoire of jazz standards. Each week highlights a different historically important jazz pianist. Basic piano proficiency and knowledge of major scales is required. 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Mondays 6:00-6:55pm 3741 • Starts 2/6/12 Instructor: John Foshager Return to Top
Advanced Blues Progressions for the Jazz Guitarist | $198    NEW!
The familiar 12-bar blues progression is pervasive in the jazz tradition, often showing up in surprisingly different ways. Learn a different version most every week in this class, as we explore a wide variety of chord substitutions and extended forms. Open to guitarists with a basic knowledge of chords, and familiar with a basic 12-bar blues progression. 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Wednesdays 7:00-7:55pm 3742 • Starts 2/8/12 Instructor: Paul Silbergleit Return to Top
Jazz Licks Lab | $198
Originally designed for guitarists, now open to all melodically improvising jazz musicians! Start building a vocabulary of ideas for jazz improvisation. Licks will cover a wide range of chord changes and jazz styles. Relevant scale and technical material will be discussed. Music DVD: Hal Leonard's Jazz Guitar Licks Goldmine DVD, featuring Jazz Licks instructor Paul Silbergleit playing the licks at tempo and at slower speed. It is suggested that guitarists purchase DVD prior to first class. Open to instrumentalists with a basic knowledge of chords/harmony, and tablature or standard notation. 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Wednesdays 6:00-6:55pm 3743 • Starts 2/8/12 Instructor: Paul Silbergleit Return to Top
Bebop Basics | $198
An introduction to the fundamentals of jazz improvisation, this class will show students how to use scales and basic bebop vocabulary to create solos on standard chord progressions. Open to all instrumentalists. 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Mondays 7:00-7:55pm 3740 • Starts 2/6/12 Instructor: Eric Jacobson Return to Top
Jazz Singers Workshop | $297
Adults Sing with professional piano and bass accompaniment and learn the basic musical concepts needed to perform with fellow jazz musicians. This class will provide students with an understanding of form, keys, tempos, charts, set lists, and stage etiquette. Students must come ready to sing. 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Mondays: 7:30-8:25pm 3744 • Starts: 2/6/12 Instructors: Jim Paolo & John Foshager Return to Top
Jazz Transcription | $198
One of the key ways jazz musicians learn is by transcribing. This is the process of figuring out by ear what has been played on a recording. This class will focus on the transcription of 2-3 classic solos. Advice will be given on which solos to choose and how to transcribe them. The students will learn to play them from memory and then analyze the transcriptions and develop exercises that will enable them to start incorporating this material into their own improvisations. Open to all instrumentalists. 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Tuesdays: 8:00-8:55pm 3745 • Starts: 2/7/12 Instructor: Eric Jacobson Return to Top
Jazz Institute Inside the Music & Quick Classes
The Conservatory offers ­concert-themed mini-courses each ­semester! Each class explores a particular composer or era and includes a ticket to a concert. Inside the Music - Soul Jazz Quick Class - Listening to Jazz: Beyond the Standard Tune Quick Class - Listening to Jazz: The Music of Duke Ellington Return to Top
Jazz Combos | $198
Receive $25 off when registered for at least 15 weeks of individual instruction! High School-Adult Learn fundamentals of improvisation, accompaniment and group interplay as you perform standard repertoire as a member of a small jazz group. All instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome. 12 wks. New Student Placement Hearings for the Spring 2012 semester will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012, or by appointment. The deadline for a placement hearing is Saturday, February 4, 2012. Please call 414/276-5760 to schedule an appointment. High School Prospect Avenue • Tuesdays 5:30-6:25pm 3594 • Starts 2/7/12 Instructor: Eric Jacobson Prospect Avenue • Tuesdays 7:00-7:55pm 3595 • Starts 2/7/12 Instructor: Eric Jacobson Audubon Court •Thursdays 5:30-6:25pm 3597 • Starts 2/9/12 Instructor: John Foshager Wilson Center •Thursdays 7:00-7:55pm 3596 • Starts 2/9/12 Instructor: Eric Jacobson Adults Prospect Avenue • Mondays 6:30-7:25pm 3751 • Starts 2/6/12 Instructor: Jim Paolo Prospect Avenue • Thursdays 7:30-8:25pm 3752 • Starts 2/9/12 Instructor: Aaron Gardner Return to Top
Beginning Jazz Combo for Adults | $198
Perfect for the adult who has started playing jazz but has never had a chance to play in a group. You will have fun playing the blues and other basic repertoire. Who knows, you just might work up the nerve to sit in at one the Conservatory jam sessions! Open to all instrumentalists. A placement hearing is not required. 12 wks. Prospect • Wednesdays 8:00-8:55pm 3748 • Starts 2/8/12 Instructor: Jim Paolo Return to Top
Horace Silver Ensemble| $198
Adults Join a jazz combo and play hard bop masterpieces by the great pianist and composer Horace Silver. Open to instrumentalists. Prerequisite: Placement hearing required for new students or consent of the instructor. 12 wks. Prospect Avenue • Mondays 8:00-8:55pm 3749 • Starts 2/6/12 Instructor: Eric Jacobson Return to Top
Playing with the Jazz Pros | $150
High School-Adult A faculty trio of piano or guitar, bass and drums will guide three students through the techniques of rhythm section playing. A repertoire of jazz standards will be chosen at the start of their semester. Students will have the opportunity to work on these during the semester of private lessons. The class will offer the opportunity to "sit in" and observe seasoned professionals, get feedback and try out suggestions on the spot. The class will address stylistic awareness, time, feel, form, chart interpretation and more. 3 wks. Prerequisites: Open to pianists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers currently enrolled in private jazz instruction at the Conservatory. Participants need to demonstrate proficiency performing standard jazz repertoire. Prospect Avenue • Thursdays 7:00-8:00pm 3753 • 2/16/12, 3/22/12, 4/26/12 Instructors: Jazz Faculty Return to Top
Jazz Jam Sessions at the Conservatory  FREE!! Connect with Milwaukee’s community of jazz lovers. Come and play or just hang out in a friendly, smoke-free, alcohol-free environment. No cover charge! Open to high school and adult musicians of all experience levels. Drums, piano, vibes, bass amps, guitar amps, and vocal P.A. provided. Location: 1584 N. Prospect Ave. in the Helen Bader Recital Hall Hosted by Conservatory Jazz Faculty Upcoming Dates: Friday, Jan 13, 2012 Friday, Feb 10, 2012 Friday, Mar 9, 2012 Friday, April 13, 2012 Friday, May 11, 2012 6:30-7:00pm Sign up to play (We will have as many musicians perform as time allows. Come early to get your name on the list!) 7:00-9:00pm Music Sponsors: Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation: Eric D. Batterman Memorial Grant Return to top