TD Jazz Intensive performance, 2018 Festival/ Nicole Romanoff Photography

The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival believes in supporting the musicians of tomorrow by providing opportunities that will assist secondary and post-secondary students develop as artists. With the support of TD, the festival is proud to present the TD Jazz Intensive, a week-long workshop running from June 24th to June 29th, 2019.

Program Coordinator: Dean McNeill

PROGRAM DETAILS

Come participate in a creative and celebratory jazz education experience like no other. This unique and innovative 6-day jazz educational opportunity is open to all students on all instruments of secondary and post-secondary ages.

Under the guidance of distinguished jazz educators, program participants will create and work toward a public performance at The Bassment, the home of jazz in Saskatoon, at 1pm on Saturday, June 29, 2019 during the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.

The TD Jazz Intensive offers an extensive and broad range of valued musical experiences and opportunities that include:

  • Instruction in jazz history, jazz theory, jazz improvisation, jazz combo, jazz composition & arranging, and artist career development
  • Meeting like-minded peers from across western Canada eager to develop their jazz-specific music skill sets
  • Challenging opportunities for students of all music levels
  • Increased one on one time between award-winning all Canadian faculty and participants
  • Jam sessions featuring clinicians and participants
  • Workshop session featuring special guest musicians
  • Participants receive a Festival Pass. Pass holders are entitled to attend all 2019 SSJF concerts that are not sold out (10 minutes prior to show time). Passes must be presented in person with ID for admission to events. 19+ events also require photo ID for proof of age.

What makes this experience particularly exciting and completely unique in our province is the opportunity for students to interact with touring musicians performing at the festival. At least one touring musician will drop in on the program and conduct a workshop with the students. The students will also have the opportunity to be part of the audience at many shows.

HOW TO APPLY + FEES

Most of the costs of conducting the TD Jazz Intensive are borne by its generous sponsors. Only a small portion of the cost is charged to the participants.

All applicants to the program must submit an application. A participation fee of $125 applies for each musician accepted into the program. This is only charged if the applicant is successful. Students from outside Saskatoon are responsible for their own transportation, accommodations and meals. Do not send the participation fee with your application. You will be contacted for payment information if you are accepted into the program.

Payment methods: Cash, debit, Visa, MasterCard or cheque (payable to Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Inc.). Note: Cheques will not be cashed until after the applicant has been informed they were accepted into the program.

APPLICATIONS OPEN APRIL 9TH.

FACULTY

What makes this experience particularly exciting and completely unique in our province is the opportunity for students to interact with touring musicians performing at the festival. At least one touring musician will drop in on the program and conduct a workshop with the students. The students will also have the opportunity to be part of the audience at many shows.

Dean McNeill
Program Coordinator/High Brass/Large Jazz Ensemble

Award winning Canadian trumpet player/composer Dean McNeill regularly performs in both the classical and jazz idioms and has been a faculty member at University of Saskatchewan Dept. of Music for the past 19 years. During this time Dean has performed and adjudicating throughout Canada and the United States, released 2 critically acclaimed CDs as a leader, and produced and/or performed on over 12 CDs. Dean is the recipient of the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival’s Special Recognition Award, UofS’s campus-wide Student Union Teaching Excellence Award, UofS Dept. of Music’s Dwaine Nelson Teaching Award, and, a Downbeat Magazine big band arranging award. As an ensemble conductor and engaged music educator Dean has taught the UofS Jazz Ensemble, the International Music Camp’s (IMC) student big band, IMC Faculty Jazz Ensemble, UofS Kenderdine Campus Summer Jazz Retreat, the SaskTel Jazz Festival Jazz Intensive, and, he has led many of his own professional bands on Canadian tours. Since its inception Dean has been the Artistic Director of the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra. Dean has performed 4 times at the Western Canadian Music Awards (W.C.M.A.) within various projects that have been nominated for W.C.M.A.s.