WMU-NYV Vocal Jazz Camp 2026
Daily Schedule
Everyone will arrive on Monday and convene that evening for check-in, orientation, and the Camp Kick-Off Concert. Tuesday–Friday mornings will start off with warm-ups led by one of the Voices, and then we’ll have four sessions of 2- and 4-day classes for all campers and auditors. During these class periods, campers will also have a One-on-One group session, where a few campers will get to sing for each other and one of the Voices and get direct coaching on their solos. (Pre-established groups can choose to take their One-on-One session as an ensemble so you can get coached on group material).
In the afternoons, campers will have their small ensembles and Performance Hour, during which they get to practice their solos with a professional trio (piano/bass/drums) in front of their peers. Auditors can observe ensembles and Performance Hours if they want. After dinner, all campers and auditors will return for All-Camp Ensemble to rehearse a brand-new world premiere piece written by Greg Jasperse before we head into Spotlight Concerts to hear solos from Full Campers that have been coached earlier in the day!
On Saturday, campers will get to sing Side-by-Side with the Voices, soundcheck with a dress rehearsal on the ensemble music they’ve worked on throughout the week, and perform for each other at the Camper Concert in the afternoon before everyone returns for New York Voices in concert that evening. On Sunday, all campers and auditors will get to celebrate and say goodbyes at our Jazz Brunch in downtown Kalamazoo!
A Sample of possible electives are:
Songwriting • Before and After • Singers You Should Know • Body, Breath, and Sound • The Importance of Rhythm • Making a Song Your Own • Beginning and Advanced Arranging • Intermediate Improv • Advanced Improv • Artist in the Making • Use Your Ears Ensemble • Lyrical Improv and Phrasing • The Business of Me • Vocal Health • Portuguese • Jazz History • Percussion • Listening Through the Layers • Writing your First Chart • Solo Transcriptions
Here is last year’s Camp Schedule so you can better visualize the flow of the week:
Concerts, Concerts, Concerts!!
There is music every night to be enjoyed in the WMU Dalton Center Auditorium. On Monday night, we feature the pride of WMU, Gold Company, as well as the incredible guest faculty, including the Camp Director and Director of Gold Company, Greg Jasperse. Tuesday–Friday’s Spotlight Concerts will feature Full Camper solos and a solo set from one of the New York Voices. Saturday afternoon’s Camp Culmination Concert will present the small ensembles that have been rehearsing throughout the week, and the World Premiere of Greg Jasperse’s All-Camp Ensemble piece. And of course, the main event on Saturday night will have New York Voices in Concert for their very last summer camp concert ever!
All concerts are free and open to the public except for the NYV in Concert Saturday night, and tickets will be available closer to the event, but all campers and auditors do not need to purchase tickets; this cost is included in your tuition!
Concerts are free and open to the public unless indicated otherwise.
Tickets will be available once registration begins
