Dates: Jan 27- May 10
Time: 10AM – 5PM (schedules vary based on placement)
Ages: 12 – 18
Tuition: $650 per semester; $1,100 for full year
For the spring semester, the deadline is Jan 1, 2024 by 11:59PM.

Mark Gross

Director, Jazz Instruction
View Bio

This comprehensive and sequential jazz education program develops well-rounded young performers through access to life-changing experiences.

Jazz for Teens on tv!

Elite Ensembles

TD Jazz for Teens is a comprehensive and sequential jazz education program that develops well-rounded young performers through access to life-changing experiences. Students receive top-notch musical training and study with world-class working artists in courses including technique, theory and composition. The curriculum also includes rehearsals in large and small ensembles, private instruction, master classes with world-class musicians and GRAMMY Award-winning artists Christian McBride and Stefon Harris; vocal instruction and ensemble with jazz artist Jackie Jones; and a new composition and arranging class with saxophonist Lance Bryant. Students will have opportunities for artistic exchanges and performances within the community in addition to college and career exploration. Through participation in this hallmark program, students become more than musicians — they grow into exceptional people with confidence to take on the world.

  • Must be an active member of Jazz for Teens
  • Must be proficient on their instrument

  • Be part of a small elite ensemble
  • Opportunity to present all forms of jazz and popular music
  • Encouraged/mentored in composing and arranging original material
  • Personal mentorship from Mark Gross and Jazz for Teens faculty

Important! Select your instrument for information about placement

Although no previous jazz experience is required, all students will be asked to record a short video of themselves performing and complete a music theory test. This is so we can place you in the right ensemble for your skill level and make sure you get instruction that meets your needs. Please click the link for more information.

Students are required to submit a video for ensemble placement and complete a theory test for theory-level placement.  

Students less experienced with jazz improvisation and theory, or any other aspect listed should not be anxious about these requirements as the program caters to all levels. 

Beginning students should simply demonstrate any of the below criteria to the best of their ability. If you’re unfamiliar with any of the material or new to improvising, don’t be intimidated or embarrassed; do the best that you can do! 

TD Jazz for Teens Program welcomes beginning and experienced students alike. You are coming to this program to learn and we are ALL still learning.

Video Guidelines 

  • Your video should be in mp4 or MOV video format. You can use your phone, computer, or camera to record.
  • Your video should have a length of 5-7 minutes.
  • Film horizontally with your face in the top 2/3 of the screen
  • Film indoors to avoid the ambient sound (wind etc.).
  • Once your video is complete, please upload it to YouTube and name the video “Jazz for Teens Placement Video (Your Name and Instrument) 

How to submit your video placement and theory test

  • Once you have registered, you will be added to a Jazz for Teens Google classroom for the program and you will receive an assignment to submit your completed video and theory test
  • Once you have been added to Google Classroom, feel free to post comments or ask questions in google classroom about your video & theory placement assignment! 
  • Please upload the YouTube link of your video and the completed theory test to google classroom by the due date assigned.

Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, Clarinet, Piano, Bass, Guitar

Scales Required
Chromatic Scale (full range of the instrument)
Dorian Minor Scale (Keys: D-, G-, C-, F-, A-, E-)
Major Scale (Keys: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D)
Dominant 7th Scale (Keys: G7, C7, F7, Bb7, D7, A7)

Tune Recording

Please prepare one tune from the list below. You can record yourself playing to a play-along track. 

Instruments (Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, Clarinet, Piano, Bass, Guitar)

Tune #1 Barefoot Sunday Blues (Cannonball Adderley)
Sheet Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkF8oIavCFk

Tune #2 Oleo (Sonny Rollins)
Sheet Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IY29EZb1pI

Tune #3 Doxy (Sonny Rollins)
Sheet Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpueyrkcMyQ

Drums

Drummers will be asked to demonstrate jazz drum-set styles including
Straight-ahead swing feel in any ballad (with brushes) at a tempo of 60 bpm
Medium tempo bossa-nova
Up-tempo samba feel
Medium tempo two-feel swing
Shuffle groove

Tune Recording

Please prepare one tune from the list below. You can record yourself playing to a play-along track. We suggest that drummers use the piano sheet music as their lead sheet when recording.

Tune #1 Barefoot Sunday Blues (Cannonball Adderley)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkF8oIavCFk

Tune #2 Oleo (Sonny Rollins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IY29EZb1pI

Tune #3 Doxy (Sonny Rollins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpueyrkcMyQ

Sheet Music

Snare Drum Solo (prepare a minimum of one)

Drummers choose one of the following snare drum solo pieces that is most challenging within their comfort level. Drummers are welcome to record more than one of these solo pieces if they wish. 

Snare Solo no. 01 – Challenge Level 1 – All American Drummer – Wilcoxon

Snare Solo no. 03 – Challenge Level 2 – All American Drummer – Wilcoxon

Snare Solo no. 12 – Challenge Level 3 – All American Drummer – Wilcoxon

Sheet Music

Vocalists

Scales Required
Chromatic Scale (full range)
Major Scale (any key)
Dorian Minor Scale (any key)
Dominant 7th Scale and chord arpeggios (any key)

Other Requirements
Singers with previous jazz experience should also be prepared to scat a bebop head in any key.

Tunes Required for Vocalists

Tune #1 All of Me (Marks/Simons)
Sheet Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JaJtNLhlfk

Tune #2 On The Sunny Side Of The Street (Jimmy McHugh)
Sheet Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbLL7IX4b3Q

Tune #3 How Insensitive (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
Sheet Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x2i2GITQ0Y

 

Free add-ons!

In The Mix

IN THE MIX is a student driven program when students across programs talk about what’s going on in your lives and around the world. Explore the issues that matter to you, from climate change to social justice. Make friends, make art, and make a difference!

Creative Coaching

Find out the difference a mentor makes! Be creative and unstoppable with this program that provides guidance and development.