What is the daily schedule for the retreat?
A typical day starts at 9:30 AM with a Combo session until noon with one break. Everyone is on their own for lunch while the faculty perform. The afternoon Combo session goes from 2 PM until 4:30 PM, again with one break. Mornings before 9 AM are times for practice, breakfast, and activities such as yoga or mindfulness. The long lunch break allows for practice or relaxation before starting the afternoon Combo session. Other special topics or special guest sessions may occur at 5 PM. Dinners are on your own, but many attendees will get together at a local restaurant. Evenings are free time and there will be opportunities to jam and practice. Jam sessions start between 8:00 and 8:30 PM and go until 10:00 PM.
A typical day starts at 9:30 AM with a Combo session until noon with one break. Everyone is on their own for lunch while the faculty perform. The afternoon Combo session goes from 2 PM until 4:30 PM, again with one break. Mornings before 9 AM are times for practice, breakfast, and activities such as yoga or mindfulness. The long lunch break allows for practice or relaxation before starting the afternoon Combo session. Other special topics or special guest sessions may occur at 5 PM. Dinners are on your own, but many attendees will get together at a local restaurant. Evenings are free time and there will be opportunities to jam and practice. Jam sessions start between 8:00 and 8:30 PM and go until 10:00 PM.
What is the format for the retreat?
Lots of playing! A list of tunes will be sent out prior to the retreat so that attendees can familiarize themselves with them and listen to recordings before arriving. During the combo session,we will discuss the tune that we’ll be working on, listen to reference recordings, talk about approaches to playing the head and how to solo. The approach to each tune varies as the discussions and activities are tailored to the group and the tune as well as questions that arise during the process. Theory is presented organically and principles are applied immediately. Faculty offer group and individual input with opportunities for break-out groups or for individuals as needed/requested. Attendees can submit original compositions to include in the music list, and they will be covered in much the same way as the other tunes, except that the group may suggest ideas for changes and develop arrangements. The goal is to have a lot of fun playing together, supporting each other while learning, and improving your improvisation skills.
Lots of playing! A list of tunes will be sent out prior to the retreat so that attendees can familiarize themselves with them and listen to recordings before arriving. During the combo session,we will discuss the tune that we’ll be working on, listen to reference recordings, talk about approaches to playing the head and how to solo. The approach to each tune varies as the discussions and activities are tailored to the group and the tune as well as questions that arise during the process. Theory is presented organically and principles are applied immediately. Faculty offer group and individual input with opportunities for break-out groups or for individuals as needed/requested. Attendees can submit original compositions to include in the music list, and they will be covered in much the same way as the other tunes, except that the group may suggest ideas for changes and develop arrangements. The goal is to have a lot of fun playing together, supporting each other while learning, and improving your improvisation skills.
Who can attend?
Anyone who has a (very) basic understanding of improvisation and can read or play tunes by ear is a good fit for the retreat. Depending on the number of attendees, there may be an option to split the group into levels based on ability but there will be no more than two groups for the foreseeable future. Because this is a small camp, there may be limits to the number of different categories of musicians, i.e. rhythm players may be limited to 1 or 2 per instrument, horns (and other front line instruments) may be limited to a total number. The inaugural beta session included a drummer, 2 guitars, a pianist, a faculty bassist, and 7 horns (2 trumpets, a violinist, a clarinetist, and 3 saxes). Please spread the word and invite your friends to apply. Our only criteria are basic competency, vaccinations up to date, and no grumps allowed.
Anyone who has a (very) basic understanding of improvisation and can read or play tunes by ear is a good fit for the retreat. Depending on the number of attendees, there may be an option to split the group into levels based on ability but there will be no more than two groups for the foreseeable future. Because this is a small camp, there may be limits to the number of different categories of musicians, i.e. rhythm players may be limited to 1 or 2 per instrument, horns (and other front line instruments) may be limited to a total number. The inaugural beta session included a drummer, 2 guitars, a pianist, a faculty bassist, and 7 horns (2 trumpets, a violinist, a clarinetist, and 3 saxes). Please spread the word and invite your friends to apply. Our only criteria are basic competency, vaccinations up to date, and no grumps allowed.
How long is the retreat?
The retreat check-in is on Sunday afternoon, depending on when the facility is available. This is followed by an introductory jam session. Everyone is invited to join together for dinner at the facility, or you can have free time. Checkout for the facility is on Saturday – late morning. This allows for a full day on Friday, with goodbyes either on Friday evening or Saturday morning. There are a full 5 days of sessions, plus the introductory jam and a general Q&A on Saturday morning!
The retreat check-in is on Sunday afternoon, depending on when the facility is available. This is followed by an introductory jam session. Everyone is invited to join together for dinner at the facility, or you can have free time. Checkout for the facility is on Saturday – late morning. This allows for a full day on Friday, with goodbyes either on Friday evening or Saturday morning. There are a full 5 days of sessions, plus the introductory jam and a general Q&A on Saturday morning!
Where will the retreat be held?
For 2023, we've added a third session in Nashville, IN. Nashville is 1 - 1.5 hours drive from the Indianapolis, Louisville, and Cincinnati airports. We may develop additional sessions depending on interest.
For 2023, we've added a third session in Nashville, IN. Nashville is 1 - 1.5 hours drive from the Indianapolis, Louisville, and Cincinnati airports. We may develop additional sessions depending on interest.
How much does the retreat cost?
This depends on many factors, but most notably, the facility. Prices vary based on high, low or regular season, and in many cases this changes on a weekly basis. The rate for 2023 sessions in Nashville, IN for the 7 days (Intro day, 5 full days of sessions, final day) will be $800/person. That covers the cost of renting the facility and the faculty’s expenses and fees. Travel, lodging, meals, and instrument rentals are attendees’ responsibility. Everyone should bring their own instrument or arrange to rent something locally. There may be lodging available at the facility – that will be detailed in the final package for the sessions. Nashville, IN and the vicinity have many lodging options, including camping facilities, hotels, AirBNBs, a state park with a lodge and rustic cabins, and others. There are lots of restaurants within walking distance in town (as well as a microbrewery, at least 2 winery tasting rooms, and a micro distillery tasting room) and many more a short drive away in Bloomington!
This depends on many factors, but most notably, the facility. Prices vary based on high, low or regular season, and in many cases this changes on a weekly basis. The rate for 2023 sessions in Nashville, IN for the 7 days (Intro day, 5 full days of sessions, final day) will be $800/person. That covers the cost of renting the facility and the faculty’s expenses and fees. Travel, lodging, meals, and instrument rentals are attendees’ responsibility. Everyone should bring their own instrument or arrange to rent something locally. There may be lodging available at the facility – that will be detailed in the final package for the sessions. Nashville, IN and the vicinity have many lodging options, including camping facilities, hotels, AirBNBs, a state park with a lodge and rustic cabins, and others. There are lots of restaurants within walking distance in town (as well as a microbrewery, at least 2 winery tasting rooms, and a micro distillery tasting room) and many more a short drive away in Bloomington!
