Clef Preparatory Jazz Music Academy

One of the great facts about jazz is that it bridges generations. Jazz relies on interactive improvisation and live performance, and thus can’t completely be taught in a classroom or with a book, aspiring younger musicians seek the direct guidance of older, wiser ones. Mentorship is crucial when passing on artistic genre to youth so the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz sees the component as a vital variable of its programs.  Mentoring fosters substantive one-to-one communications between student musicians and experienced master-level professionals.


Clef Prep Jazz Music Academy (CPJMA )

FALL TRIMESTER: A Deep Dive into Jazz Improvisation

“Exploring the Art of Spontaneous Musical Conversation”

Saturday, October 11, 2025 – Saturday, December 20, 2026
Class times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Register and Enroll Students Now!

Overview

This trimester invites students to fully immerse themselves in the language, techniques, and spirit of jazz improvisation. Through focused instruction, ensemble work, and guided mentorship, participants will discover how to express themselves with authenticity, creativity, and confidence in the moment.

Students will study master improvisers, learn the building blocks of jazz vocabulary, and explore how to apply their skills across swing, bebop, modal, and contemporary jazz styles. The trimester culminates in a “Live Improvisation Showcase” where students perform alongside faculty and guest artists in spontaneous collaborations.

Core Learning Areas

    1. The Language of Jazz

        • Melodic development

        • Call-and-response phrasing

        • Jazz articulation and nuance

    1. Rhythmic Freedom

        • Syncopation and swing feel

        • Odd meters and polyrhythms

        • Using silence and space

    1. Harmonic Exploration

        • Chord-scale relationships

        • Modal improvisation

        • Playing “inside” vs. “outside”

    1. Listening & Interaction

        • Active listening in ensemble settings

        • Responding and supporting other soloists

        • Developing your own improvisational voice

Guest Artist Spotlight

Each trimester week will include insights and demonstrations from a featured jazz improviser, showing their personal approach and engaging students in Q&A sessions.

Performance Goal

Final Week Showcase: “Off the Page” — an evening of unscripted, in-the-moment music where students and faculty create fresh interpretations of jazz standards and original compositions.

WINTER TRIMESTER: The Art of Big Band

“Power, Precision, and the Pulse of Jazz”

Saturday, January 10, 2026 – Saturday, March 14, 2026
Class times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Register and Enroll Students Now!

Overview

This trimester celebrates the dynamic sound, precision, and ensemble artistry of the jazz big band tradition. Students will explore the rich history of big band music—from Duke Ellington and Count Basie to contemporary large-ensemble innovators—while developing the skills necessary to thrive in a large jazz ensemble setting.

Through sectionals, full ensemble rehearsals, and specialized workshops, students will gain insight into blend, balance, reading complex arrangements, and the art of phrasing as part of a larger sound. The term culminates in a Clef Prep Big Band Junior-Gala Concert showcasing classic repertoire and student-arranged works.

Core Learning Areas

    1. The Big Band Sound

        • Section roles (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, rhythm)

        • Tone production and blend across the ensemble

        • Dynamic shaping and balance

    1. Reading & Interpreting Charts

        • Sight-reading techniques

        • Understanding rehearsal markings and cues

        • Navigating tempo changes and written solos

    1. The Swing Machine

        • Rhythm section groove in a large ensemble

        • Locking in with your section

        • Timing and articulation

    1. Big Band History & Repertoire

        • Iconic composers: Ellington, Basie, Kenton, Maria Schneider

        • Styles: Swing, bebop, Latin, funk, modern big band

        • Listening and analysis sessions

Guest Artist Spotlight

Featured Big Band Leader or Section Player — A celebrated big band artist will lead a masterclass on their role in the ensemble, offer performance critiques, and share behind-the-scenes insights from touring and recording.

Performance Goal

Final Week Event: “The Clef Prep Big Band Junior-Gala” — a concert bringing together students, faculty, and guest artists in a high-energy showcase, featuring both timeless classics and new arrangements created during the trimester.

SPRING TRIMESTER: Crossover Jazz – Roots & Grooves

“Where Jazz Speaks the Language of Groove”

Saturday, March 21, 2026 – Saturday, June 27, 2026
Class times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Recital Saturday, June 27, 2026
Recital Start Time 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Register and Enroll Students Now!

Core Concept
Jazz has always been a conversation — and some of its most exciting conversations happen with its close cousins: blues, hip hop, and funk.

    • Blues brings the soul and storytelling.

    • Hip hop brings the beat and flow.

    • Funk brings the grit and groove.

This series/brand celebrates jazz in dialogue with these forms — not as background, but as equal partners in a shared musical language.

Tone & Message

    • Energetic, streetwise, and soulful.

    • Honors the historical links between these genres.

    • Showcases both heritage and innovation.

Visual Language

    • Colors: Deep indigo (jazz roots), burnt orange (blues warmth), charcoal black (hip hop edge), and vibrant lime or purple (funk pop).

    • Textures: Gritty street textures, vinyl record grooves, vintage amp cloth.

    • Imagery: Overlaid silhouettes of horns, turntables, and funk bass guitars; graffiti-style type paired with classic jazz typography.

Program Applications

    • Concert Series:

        • Jazz & Blues Concert (feature a jazz artist with a blues guitarist or singer)

        • Jazz & Hip Hop Concert (live jazz ensemble with MCs and DJs)

        • Jazz & Funk Concert (horn section with a deep pocket funk rhythm section)

    • Workshops: Sampling jazz in hip hop, blues improvisation in a jazz context, and funk rhythm in jazz arrangements.

    • Collaborations: Pair a Clef Club jazz ensemble with local blues bands, hip hop collectives, and funk groups.

STUDENT EVENTS

Most of the youth programs lead up to major concerts, performances, showcases and features.  Recitals and the “showcasing” element of youth programs are essential to budding artists.  It strengthens stage presence, promotes self esteem, reinforces improvisational skills, and allows youth a chance to experience praise as a reciprocal measure of their invested time and hard work. In addition, at various times throughout the year, youth ensembles are called on to perform at events.

Students have performed at the many venues throughout the Greater Philadelphia Delaware Valley Region.  Select venue performance sites:  The Philadelphia Convention Center, the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Lincoln Center, the U.N. Building in New York, The International Jazz Educators Conference in Anheim, California, Berklee City Music Network Conference and Festival and many other venues.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Individual Lessons

Individual lessons are offered at all levels in all music technology and recording, piano, vibes, drums, saxophone, trumpet, trombone keyboard, string, brass, percussion and fingerboard instruments as well as in voice music theory, and composition.  The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz maintains several musical instruments and encourages students to have an instrument for study and, in limited circumstances, may be able to assist students in acquiring instruments on loan.  Individual lessons are open to youth and adults.

MASTER CLASSES

Mentorship:  Enables students interested in jazz to learn from the past while bringing the music into the future.

For students with limited opportunities for private lessons and exposure to working jazz artists, a master class can be particularly inspiring and motivating. The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts places a strong emphasis on master classes, which bring leading jazz practitioners into the classroom to perform, teach, answer questions and offer guidance, both musical and personal.

Our master classes provide student musicians with outstanding opportunities to learn from and be mentored by top jazz players, Philadelphia Clef Club faculty and visiting artists. The master artist often focuses on common topics: improvisation, ensemble playing, practice techniques, the creative process, and ways to improve performance.

SUMMER CAMP

The camp is a jazz education program developing the next generation of jazz artists and preserving the great American art form.   Our summer camp continues the legacy through accessible education for the greater Philadelphia region, and supports the evolving art form through talent development, programming, and public performance.

    • Music Theory

    • Jazz History

    • Jazz Improvisation

    • Composition

    • Ensemble Performances

    • Vocal Ensembles

    • Master Classes with Renowned Guest Artists

    • Distinguished Faculty

    • Instruction on Various Instruments

    • Small Group Rehearsals

    • Jam Sessions

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

The music appreciation school program is designed to broaden student’s musical horizons by teaching them about the world of music.  These programs will focus on discussing and familiarizing students with major jazz musicians, by exploring music from all over the world. Performance is a key component for each presentation, by presenting an appreciation of various cultures through music.

The teaching artists who conduct workshops in schools focus on jazz music and touches upon classical music, swing, and Rhythm and Blues, contemporary and hip hop. By doing so students learn how American base music affects people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.

Teaching artists – the faculty ensemble as well as special guest musicians present performances in multi-media, musical presentations, informal talks and question and answer sessions.  In schools, performances are presented student assembly format, as well as, informal talks and mini workshops which occur before or after a performance to small groups. Listed is subject focus:

    • Modern Keyboard

    • Vocals

    • History of African American Music (Jazz)

    • Bebop to Hip Hop

    • Percussion Instruments (Latin & African)