Backcountry jazz (bcj) presents concerts with celebrated jazz artists and rising stars and educates and inspires youth through music. Bcj provides high quality music programs for underserved youth that engage the creative spirit, encourage self-expression and stimulate academic performance. Through the presentation of outstanding concerts, music education programs and a summer music camp, backcountry jazz celebrates, preserves and expands the rich tradition of america's art form, jazz.

Arts & Culture , Music

Backcountry jazz summer music camp - bcj's summer music camp brings music education to children in at-risk high need neighborhoods. The camp is located at the barnum school in bridgeport and runs for four weeks, five days a week from 8:30am to 3pm. The camp is free for the approximately 75 students it serves and is open to the entire bridgeport public school system, ages 10-18, grades 5 to 12. The student body in this district has, in general, limited exposure not only to musical experiences but to any creative or enriching activities. Bcj summer music camp engages the creative spirit of the children and improves their ability to close the gap of social and educational experience that can undermine so many from at-risk neighborhoods. The faculty offers music instruction in instrumental technique, composition and improvisation, in ensemble teamwork on brass, woodwind, string, and percussion instruments, and in vocal skills. In addition, a jazz faculty made up of performers and educators from the tri-state area comes to the camp for intensive daily workshops. Throughout the four weeks, bcj also brings world-class artists out of the concert hall and into the camp, providing students with master classes, on-on-one teaching, and small group workshops. Each visiting artist performs a concert for the campers. Hearing, meeting and working with these fine artists provides an invaluable experience that the students otherwise would never have. All instructors are selected for their level of excellence. Camp is staffed by professionals who deliver high quality instruction, as well as encouragement. These are important connections for students. The instructors and mentors make a critical difference in the summer experience of campers. Through playing music, students build confidence and courage and develop important skills for college, career and life success. A free nutritious meals program of breakfast and lunch is provided for all campers. Select students are awarded free instruments for them to own and free lessons during the academic year. community concerts, public school youth concerts, in-school education concerts - each year, bcj creates and presents high quality concerts for students and the public alongside some of the finest artists in jazz today. Concerts are meant to instill enthusiasm and build a wider audience for the uniquely american art form of jazz. Recent youth concerts included the presentation of "the music of duke ellington" for over 2,000 bridgeport public school students. The in-school concert series included "the music of thelonious monk. " the quality of artistry is high for this program and the focus is on sharing the history, instrumentation, and more about jazz music itself. In-school concerts are put forth in a lecture demonstration style and are offered as a gateway to music, specifically improvised music. The community concert series included "backcountry jazz at st. Bedes and "let the good times roll. " the after-school program - the bcj after-school program gives students in bridgeport who possess a desire to learn and a passion for music, but lack the financial means for sustained comprehensive training, the opportunity to learn essential concepts in jazz and classical music and improve their instrumental skills. Students are provided with ensemble workshops and individual lessons during the academic year every friday afternoon. In addition, the advanced performing ensemble is provided with performance opportunities. The bcj after-school program addresses the complete lack of music education in some bridgeport public schools. Students with an interest in music are provided the opportunity to improve their skills in jazz and other styles, as well as interact with high-quality teachers, performing artists, and with their peers. All students that take part in this after-school program also attend the bcj summer music camp as a continuation of their studies, but the program is open to the entire