MCCC Kicks Off Summer Jazz Workshop

Philadelphia-area musician and music educator Robin Haffley will conduct Montgomery County Community College’s inaugural summer jazz workshop Mondays and Wednesday evenings between May 18 and June 29 at the college's Central Campus in Blue Bell.

Based on MCCC’s “MUS 160” course, which is offered in the fall and spring semesters, the workshop is open to all wind instrument players (including trumpet, sax, flute and trombone), guitar and bass players, keyboard players and drummers.

Most participants will bring their own instruments (drum set and keyboard will be provided). Jazz experience is not necessary, but participants must be able to read music.

Haffley said in an email interview that MUS 160 was designed and developed as a course that would eventually evolve into a big band featuring a sax, trumpet, trombone and rhythm sections.

“Music that we currently own and have available for the course is scored for this combination of instruments. A course that is specifically geared toward nontraditional instruments is being designed, but is not yet available,” he said.

The course has already attracted a variety of students, Haffley said.

“Currently, there are students that are age 18 to 22, plus other people that are middle age. I've even heard from a student who is retired that just wants a place where (he or she) can play. Any students that play sax, trumpet, trombone or rhythm section instruments and are interested in jazz ensemble playing, jazz improvisation and historical performance examples by jazz masters are welcome.”

According to Haffley, about 25 students were enrolled in the class during the  2011 spring semester, and three different bands were created.

“I would have to say 25 is the limit, but I think we'll have a much smaller group than that this time around,” he said.

For the moment, the course is geared toward its participants.

“Until enrollment is complete, and we know what instrument each student plays plus their ability, we will not know what we will be able to do concert or recording-wise with the students,” Haffley said. "Based on past offerings of this course, we've been able to perform bebop, hard bop, cool, fusion and third-stream jazz.” 

Haffley studied at the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts (now University of the Arts) and serves as music director at LaSalle University and Penn State Abington, as well as MCCC. His training is in classical music and jazz. He has performed with Bernadette Peters, Bob Hope and Bobby Rydell, as well as various members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He's also recorded with world-renowned jazz clarinetist Buddy De Franco. Find more information about Haffley's music career here.

The workshop runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays from May 18 through June 29 at the college’s Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell.

The course is listed as MUS 160, and registration information is available at www.mc3.edu/admissions.

For more information, contact Robin Haffley at rhaffley@mc3.edu or Music Department Coordinator Andrew Kosciesza at akoscies@mc3.edu.