Wharton Music Center
While sitting in rehearsals with Jazz Studies Program Director Dave Schumacher, I found myself as challenged on the subjects of music theory and history presented in the Intro to Jazz Workshop and Jazz Combo as the students arduously applying themselves to the study of America's only original art form. Providing a well-rounded experience through aural examples and the discussion of theory prototypes, Dave is building a new generation of jazz cats at Wharton Music Center/New Jersey Youth Symphony.
Dave is a prolific music educator, maintaining a private teaching studio, instructing the Theory Lab at WMC, and directing the WMC NJYS Jazz Studies Program. Dave also works at K&S Music in instrument sales. Dave's main instrument is bari-saxophone, though he can play all saxophones, clarinet and flute.
What sparked your interest in Jazz?
When I was a kid my parents had a few jazz records that I loved to play. When I was really little, I was really into jumping and making the turn table skip. Once I got past that stage and my father didn’t kill me for it, I realized I actually enjoyed listening to them. There were a few – Duke Ellington record, Jonah Jones…only 3 or 4 really, but I immediately liked them.
What kind of ensemble experiences did you have?
Actually, they wouldn’t let me be in the band right away because I was behind everyone on saxophone. So it actually worked out great for me to start right away with private lessons. Then I was able to join the band about six months later. The music program in my high school was an excellent program and well known in the area. We had orchestra, chamber orchestra, two wind ensembles, three big bands and the district brought in professional artists regularly.
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| The Jazz Combo at the 2014 WMC NJYS Gala |
Why is the Jazz program important to WMC NJYS?
To me, Jazz is American classical music, a classical form of its own. It has a shaded past because it was “pop” music at one time, but it hasn’t been pop music for a very long time. Characteristically it is its own classical music form.
What non-musical skills are you building?
Concentration and focus. They have to be focused on form and key structure while playing and listening to their peers. Also, I’m building social communication skills. They have to communicate on a musical level and on a non-musical level, verbally and non-verbally.
What will you be playing for NJYS's 35th Anniversary concert at NJPAC?
“Cantaloupe Island” by Herbie Hancock and “Solar” by Miles Davies. I’m trying to build up their standard repertoire knowledge by transcriptions I put together while bringing in some published arrangements.
The Intro to Jazz Workshop, for all instruments, meets at NJYS on Sundays at 1:00-2:30 PM (grades 6-10) and at WMC on Wednesdays at 6:30-8:00 PM (teens & adults). Start dates are Sunday, January 11 and Wednesday, February 4. Tuition is $350. The Jazz Combo meets at NJYS on Sundays at 2:30-4:00 PM (grades 9-12). For more information, or to register for the Jazz Studies program, visit www.NJYS.org or call 908-790-0700.
