SXU Student Media, Jazz Summer Camps Return For Grades 6-12

CHICAGO – High school and middle school students interested in podcasting or expanding their jazz chops, can immerse themselves in Saint Xavier University’s summer camps in June and July.

The Student Media Camp offers a session in podcasting and will take place June 26 through June 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Camp is open to all incoming high school freshmen through graduating seniors. Students will learn the fundamentals of how to start their own podcast and throughout camp will be armed with tools to help them develop podcast topics, properly record audio, edit, promote their podcast, and distribute their podcast. Students will leave camp with the skills and confidence to start and continue their own podcast.

"The hardest part of broadcasting is having confidence that your idea is interesting,” said Peter Kreten, director of student media. “Speaking into a microphone or walking in front of a camera for the first time is scary. However, by working together in groups, having brainstorming sessions, learning the fundamentals, and learning from SXU professionals, my hope is the students will have the confidence to take that first step and hit record."

The SXU-Southside Summer Jazz Camp will take place July 24 through July 28 from 3 to 7 p.m. each day. Camp is open to students in sixth grade through 12th grade. Camp includes daily rehearsals on jazz repertoire, instrumental sectionals, improvisation master classes, jam sessions, guest concerts, and music theory workshops. Students will showcase their talents at the final concert on July 28.

Students of all levels of experience are encouraged to attend; regardless of whether they are new to jazz or looking to expand their horizons, there is something for everyone to learn.

"The students attending Jazz Camp will learn many valuable skills in jazz performance, improvisations, jazz history, and musicianship,” Shawn Salmon, D.A., director of jazz studies. “We help provide students with tools, techniques, and guidance to help them grow as musicians. But most importantly, jazz is a collaborative, artistic expression of the arts and has many unique styles and traditions we embrace when we perform. I strive to teach students that jazz is more than the notes on the page, but expressions of emotions that they create.”

The fee for the media summer camp is $150 and $120 for jazz camp. For more information and to register online, visit Student Media Summer Camp and the SXU Southside Summer Jazz Camp.