Jazz
Designed for students of outstanding potential, this specialist programme is led by
internationally-renowned jazz saxophonist Professor Tommy Smith, and offers tuition from some of
the best jazz musicians in Scotland. Through 90 minute one-to-one lessons each week you’ll benefit
from their professional advice and understand what you need to know to get work and how to keep
working.
This advanced programme is versatile and challenging. You’ll not only explore standard jazz repertoire but also a number of styles including contemporary and Latin jazz music. There’s a real variety of material experienced and you’ll get used to playing in lots of different ways at a very high level. This programme is delivered to only six students each year and, through class-based teaching in our dedicated ensemble jazz studio, you’ll become part of a band for four years and create a network of contacts and professional performance opportunities together before you graduate.
As this programme is currently enjoying its third year, there’s a lot of focus on the department and this offers many opportunities for jazz students to perform.
Every month we present a Blue Monday performance. Open to the public, they have a growing reputation. They showcase students on the programme and are directed in turn by each one of our specialist jazz tutors. They include standard jazz tunes that have been developed in workshops and classes and feature original music too. We’ve also built close working relationships with other UK conservatoires to form the Conservatoires All-Star Big Band which performed to critical acclaim last year.
Built into the course are also many opportunities for professional exposure with regular performance opportunities including the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra a student featured spot under the umbrella of the Glasgow International Jazz Festival.
This advanced programme is versatile and challenging. You’ll not only explore standard jazz repertoire but also a number of styles including contemporary and Latin jazz music. There’s a real variety of material experienced and you’ll get used to playing in lots of different ways at a very high level. This programme is delivered to only six students each year and, through class-based teaching in our dedicated ensemble jazz studio, you’ll become part of a band for four years and create a network of contacts and professional performance opportunities together before you graduate.
As this programme is currently enjoying its third year, there’s a lot of focus on the department and this offers many opportunities for jazz students to perform.
In the last year jazz students have played in the annual
Swingin’ into Christmas concert with the Conservatoire Big Band and Musical Theatre
students, collaborated with actors on providing the music for a show in the New Athenaeum Theatre,
and worked with Masters Musical Theatre students for their
Candid Cabaret performances. There’s also freshness to the Glasgow jazz scene and
the
Royal Conservatoire
Students’ Union
regularly host jazz nights around the city using students from our
jazz programme. There’s a large pool of professional performers working in Glasgow, and
professional contacts can be easily made through weekly gigs around the city.
Every month we present a Blue Monday performance. Open to the public, they have a growing reputation. They showcase students on the programme and are directed in turn by each one of our specialist jazz tutors. They include standard jazz tunes that have been developed in workshops and classes and feature original music too. We’ve also built close working relationships with other UK conservatoires to form the Conservatoires All-Star Big Band which performed to critical acclaim last year.
Jazz Master Classes with visiting artists also include full student
participation wherever possible; this presents an opportunity for students to perform with
musicians such as Courtney Pine, Peter Erskine, Bill Evans, Arild Andersen and Randy Brecker to
give a few examples. (See Master Classes Page)
Built into the course are also many opportunities for professional exposure with regular performance opportunities including the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra a student featured spot under the umbrella of the Glasgow International Jazz Festival.
We also have excellent recording facilities, with three refurbished
studios, and a new Conservatoire/Nimbus Alliance recording label, so you’ll benefit from a
professional working environment in all aspects of becoming a professional jazz musician.
