From trombones to saxophones, the harmonious melody of 12-bar jazz sounded inside Greene Street United Methodist Church at the University of South Carolina jazz camp. This three-day camp is centered around preparation for the final performance. Throughout the camp, six musicians expanded their knowledge of music theory under the leadership of Colleen Clark. Clark is the first and only woman to receive a Ph.D. in jazz studies from the University of North Texas, the oldest jazz program in the country. She is also the assistant professor of jazz studies at USC and director of this camp.
When she interviewed for her job, Clark explained how she sees her role as a teacher.
“Being a teacher is being a coach,” she said, “I can be your Dawn Staley of the jazz department.”
She also discussed the dynamic duty of teaching: always learning. “Because I’m the prof, I’m learning all the time.”
Clark invited a professor to lecture at the camp. Despite using sophisticated language, the campers grasped the complex topics well.
“He was using all the language we usually use, even in our college classes… and so they ate it right up,” Clark said.
Although the campers all demonstrated an elite-level of musical ability, they play a diverse array of instruments. One of these campers is Morgan Lykes, a 13-year-old who plays the flute. She is from Blythewood and came to USC jazz camp on the recommendation of her band teacher. Morgan thinks the program has helped her express herself.
“I’m used to playing stuff like on the page, actual page, so it’s taught me to, like, expand and learn how to improv,” Lykes said.
Another student participating in this program is Caelan King. Caelan’s primary instrument is the alto saxophone, but he plays piano, drums, trumpet, and clarinet, as well.
“As a saxophone player in a jazz band, it’s important to… play out and like, add… style,” King said. “You can like, make different parts of… the song yours, in a way, to like completely make the song… sound better.”
Nathan DuVall, a recent graduate of USC, assists Clark by teaching the trombone section.
“We have not held back from those kind of professional level vocabulary as far as the colloquial terms of jazz,” DuVall said. “Because we’re treating them just kind of like a pro band, it’s pretty cool.”
DuVall says jazz camp at USC prepares students for playing music in the real world.
“They’re learning how to navigate kind of a professional environment, really,” DuVall said.
