Central Pennsylvania Jazz Camp
Messiah College (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Messiah College and Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz have been closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 during the past several months in order to make decisions that are in the best interest of the Messiah campus and surrounding community. Regarding our summer jazz camp, the safety of our campers is always the highest priority for our camps, and it is uncertain if Pennsylvania’s public health directives will allow gatherings of large groups anytime this summer.
Therefore, Messiah College and Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Jazz Camp. All other in-person camps at Messiah College have been cancelled, as well.
Any deposits or payments for camp will be refunded. For other FAQ, please visit Messiah College's emergency blog or contact Friends of Jazz executive director Andy Herring at friends@friendsofjazz.org.
We know that this is disappointing, although not totally unexpected news. We look forward to hosting
camp each summer and we share in your disappointment.
At this time, we are exploring options for a smaller-scale educational opportunity. If you would like more information, should plans come to fruition, please sign up below.
About the Central Pennsylvania Jazz Camp
Whether you're new to jazz or have been playing for years, there's a place for you at the Central Pennsylvania Jazz Camp!
Our camp teaches the art of jazz improvisation in small ensembles. Rather than reading charts in a big band, students work together to craft original arrangements that feature every player. Each ensemble is guided by an experienced and knowledgeable professional jazz musician.
The faculty is comprised of the finest local players, led by a nationally-acclaimed guest artist. Though our faculty bring a variety of perspectives on playing jazz, they all share a desire to pass on their experiences and knowledge to the next generation of jazz musicians.
2019 Jazz Camp students & faculty
Faculty
Joe Magnarelli made his debut as a leader with 1994’s “Why Not” (Criss Cross). He followed that excellent album with three others on the Criss Cross label: “Always There” (1997), “Mr. Mags” (2000) and “Hoop Dreams” (2005). He subsequently released "Persistence" (2007) and "My Old Flame" (2010), his first big band recording as a leader. He also made two albums co-leading a sextet with the legendary Philadelphia trumpeter John Swana: “Philly-New York Junction” (1998), and “New York-Philly Junction” (2003).
Joe’s early career included touring with Lionel Hampton, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Harry Connick Jr. Joe has also worked and toured with the Vanguard Orchestra, Jimmy Cobb, Nick Brignola, Gary Smulyan, The Carnegie Hall Orchestra, John Pizzarelli, Aretha Franklin, and the Lincoln Center Orchestra. Joe is currently an adjunct professor of music at the Juilliard School of Music and Rutgers University.
Local faculty
subject to change
Dr. William Stowman, camp director
Tim Warfield, saxophone
Paul Bratcher, piano
Kirk Reese, piano
Gavin Horning, guitar
Jeff Stabley, drums