Eastern Announces Inaugural Summer Jazz Camp for Middle and High School Musicians

Eastern Announces Inaugural Summer Jazz Camp for Middle and High School Musicians

St. Davids, PA: The Music Department at Eastern University is excited to announce its first-ever Summer Jazz Camp, a weeklong immersive experience for student musicians in grades 7-12. The camp will take place July 13-17, 2026 in the Fowler Hall Music Building and the new Clemens Recital Hall in Templeton Hall.

Powered by the PA Jazz Institute, the program is designed for students with at least three years of instrumental or vocal experience and serves as both a high-impact summer opportunity and a recruitment initiative for aspiring collegiate musicians.

The camp will be led by Department Chair Steven Ford, Executive Director Ed Jakuboski, and Artistic Director Marko Marcinko, alongside additional faculty and student assistants. Participants will be placed in lower and upper jazz bands and engage in a comprehensive curriculum designed to build musicianship, creativity, and real-world industry skills.

Throughout the week, students will participate in ensemble rehearsals and performances while exploring jazz history, theory, improvisation, and performance techniques. Unique to this program, campers will also gain practical insight into today's music industry through sessions on social media networking for musicians, music industry software, and creating music online.

The camp runs Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with daily lunch in the Dining Commons included. The experience will culminate in a final concert on Friday in Clemens Recital Hall, showcasing the music students have developed throughout the week.

Tuition for the Eastern University Summer Jazz Camp is $400. Registration and payment will be completed through Eastern University.