NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  — The Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS) is inviting all Berkshire County, Southern VT, and Eastern NY State music students ages 12-18 to its 4th Berkshires' Summer Jazz Band Day Camp, Aug 15-19, 2022, at Building 6, Heritage State Park, North Adams.

 

The hours for the camp are Noon to 4:30 p.m. daily. Students will study with BAAMS' faculty who are also members of the faculty of The Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music, "The Saturday Night Live" Band, and more. 

 

"I'm excited to be a guest at this year’s Berkshires' Summer Jazz Band Day Camp," said Saxophones and woodwinds instructor Ron Blake shares. "Music (and Arts education in general) is such a vital part of students' educational and social development, and it’s always a privilege to share my experience and lifelong passion for this music with them," says Blake, a longtime member of the "Saturday Night Live" Band, and faculty member at the Juilliard School. 

 

BAAMS encourages and welcomes students of all playing levels and musical backgrounds to join. 

 

You do not need to have previous experience playing jazz. Teachers draw upon many styles of music to help students learn.

 

"We help make the connections between principles of music and how they are related: Jazz, Classical, Rock, Funk, R&B, Country, Metal — you name it, we break down the common basic musical elements and help students develop their own voices as improvisors and soloists as well as composers," says Founder and Executive director, Richard Boulger. "We recruited a top-tier faculty who are equally committed to helping each of our students have success. On top of the many benefits of the camp, we have a lot of fun!"

 

 

The camp is highlighted by a Friday Night "Gala" live performance that features the students and an original music composition collectively composed by the students.

 

Tuition for the camp week is priced affordably at $400 (thanks to donor support), and scholarships are awarded to qualifying families. No student will be denied music education because of financial hardship. BAAMS is a nonprofit corporation; donations are welcome to help provide affordable tuition rates.

 

Camp registration: https://www.berkshiresacademyams.org/berkshires-summer-jazz-day-camp