After-School Ensemble Program - Grades 7-12
GSJC Ensembles Program
GSJC ENSEMBLES – PROGRAM UPDATE
GSJC Ensembles won’t run for the 2026–27 school year, but our jazz education mission continues. Join our pre-registration list by November 30th to express interest in future camps and programs. We will consider opening up Semester 2 with enough student interest (minimum 60 total).
Build Real Jam Session Skills & Enhance Stage Confidence All Year
Professionally coached jazz ensembles help young musicians build confidence, improvisation, teamwork, and real performance experience. Jazz education is the vehicle to a more capable, connected, well-rounded musician.
Rehearsals, Coached Jam Sessions, & Summer Camp Credit
Put simply: students rehearse weekly in small jazz groups (called "combos") and learn jazz repertoire, improvisation skills, perform with peers and pros at local jam sessions, and earn credit toward summer camp!
Faculty-Led Rehearsals
Six professionally coached, 90-minute combo rehearsals build listening, improvisation, repertoire, and teamwork.
Coached Jam Sessions
Students gain real stage experience with peers and professional musicians, performing improvised solos at jams and a prepared song-set each quarter.
Summer Camp Tuition Credit
Every ensemble commitment includes built-in tuition credit toward next summer's camp upon completion of your plan and full payment.
Concerts & Community
Audition into additional ensemble opportunities to perform in community-enriching benefit and scholarship concerts. Combos welcome to join additional concerts!
Practice Tools & Guides
Access custom-made backing tracks, exercises, tips, and guides for understanding form, style, harmony, comping patterns, and soloing based on our combo repertoire.
Membership Benefits
Students in Exodus Music programs automatically receive up to 20% off instruments, accessories, gear, sheet music, and instructional materials. (Exclusions Apply)
Choose Your Enrollment Plan:
Each quarter includes six 90-minute rehearsals and two three-hour coached jams. Longer commitments lower each payment and include more GSJC Summer Camp Credit. The first payment is charged at enrollment; remaining payments process every 30 days. Summer Camp Credit is awarded after the plan is completed and paid in full.
Quarter Plan
2 payments • $340 total
(Most Flexible)
(Closed)
- 8 sessions: 6 rehearsals + 2 jams
- One song set (3-4 pieces)
- Custom practice materials: Backing tracks, chord/scale guides, improvisation tips & more
- Exodus Music Bronze Membership:
5% off qualifying store products - $89 Summer Camp Credit
Semester Plan
4 payments • $680 $640 total
(Save $40!)
(Closed)
- 16 sessions: 12 rehearsals + 4 jams
- Two song sets (6-8 pieces)
- Qualifies for Big Band and Ambassador Auditions
- Custom practice materials: Backing tracks, chord/scale guides, improvisation tips & more
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Exodus Music Silver Membership:
10% off qualifying store products - $189 Summer Camp Credit
School-Year Plan Best Value
8 payments • $1,360 $1,200 total
(Save $160!)
(Closed)
- 32 sessions: 24 rehearsals + 8 jams
- Four song sets (12-16 pieces)
- Qualifies for Big Band and Ambassador Auditions
- Custom practice materials: Backing tracks, chord/scale guides, improvisation tips & more
-
Exodus Music Gold Membership:
20% off qualifying store products - $399 Summer Camp Credit
How to Enroll
2026–27 enrollment is open and the first rehearsal window begins according to the schedule below.
- Choose a plan above. Your first installment is charged at enrollment through our SessionUp platform.
- Complete the student profile, questionnaire, and agreements.
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You'll receive online materials to submit a playing sample, which will include a few scales, some basic note reading, and some open-ended performance instructions and questions. This is to help us place you in the best group fit for your student - it is not a prepared audition.
- Receive your instructor, rehearsal time, and location during the week before your first rehearsal. If your minimum-sized ensemble is not formed, you will be contacted regarding alternative options and solutions. More details are in the enrollment agreement - please review carefully.
If we can’t arrange a suitable placement, you’ll receive a refund.
We use your student’s instrument, experience and availability to arrange their group. If we can’t offer a suitable combo or equivalent program, we’ll cancel the enrollment, stop future installments and refund your first payment in full within seven days after enrollment closes.
2026–27 Rehearsal & Jam Calendar
(Canceled until further notice)
What to Plan for Each Quarter:
Each quarter includes six weekly 90-minute rehearsals and two coached three-hour Sunday jam sessions. Rehearsals meet once-per-week, Monday through Friday after school, with Friday daytime options also available; each ensemble’s regular weekday and time is assigned based on placement and the availability families provide. Families receive their confirmed schedule before the quarter begins, and GSJC may adjust dates for major holidays, school performances, district festivals, or other cohort-wide conflicts.
| 2026-2027 | Rehearsal Schedule | Sunday Jams |
|---|---|---|
|
Quarter 1
|
September 14 – October 23 |
October 4
|
|
Quarter 2
(Enrollment Cutoff: Oct 23) |
October 26 – December 11
|
November 15
|
|
Quarter 3
(Enrollment Cutoff: Jan 1) |
January 4 – February 26
|
January 24
|
|
Quarter 4
(Enrollment Cutoff: Mar 26) |
March 29 – May 21
|
April 18
|
Eligibility: Grades 7–12; students must remain 18 or younger through the following GSJC summer camp season.
Primary location: Exodus Music, 3321 S Oxbow Dr, Nampa, ID 83686.
Additional locations: Boise Hive (various locations) and other rehearsal spaces: Boise, Garden City, Meridian, Caldwell, and other Treasure Valley areas depending on enrollment. Students primarily grouped by nearest common location.
Directed by: Jimmy Pérez-Lawrence and experienced GSJC faculty and local professional jazz educators.
GSJC Ensembles Core Program
GSJC Jazz Combos
Jazz combos are the core GSJC Ensembles experience. Small groups build repertoire, improvisation, listening, arranging, teamwork, and performance confidence.
Open to students in grades 7–12 with at least one year of experience through school ensembles, private lessons, or similar study. Students are grouped by instrument and experience rather than age, and placements are reviewed each quarter.
- Attend scheduled 90-minute rehearsals with an experienced jazz instructor.
- Perform and improvise at two coached GSJC Jam events each quarter.
- Prepare and perform one featured three- to four-song set each quarter.
- (Optional): Additional community and scholarship-benefit performances may be offered during the year.
- Regular attendance at scheduled rehearsals.
- Attend your ensemble’s scheduled feature performance.
- Practice at home using the provided digital resources.
- Private lessons and school ensemble participation are encouraged, but not required.
Auditioned Groups (Add-On Programs)
These groups become available once we reach our enrollment targets - big bands require a minimum of 17 students of specific instruments before we can make the offer for the add-on. The minimum requirement instrumentation per group is:
4 Trumpets - 4 Trombones - 2 Alto Saxes - 2 Tenor Saxes - 1 Bari Sax - 1 Guitar - 1 PIano - 1 Bass (Upright preferred) - 1 Drum Set
GSJC Junior Big Band
A large-format big band with extra spots and flexible instrumentation for students in grades 7–9 who want to strengthen section playing, blend, jazz style, & chart reading.
Open to students in grades 7-9 who are enrolled in GSJC Jazz Combos on the Semester or School-Year Plans. Students audition each semester so we can build a balanced group with the right mix of instruments. Traditional and nontraditional jazz instruments may be considered.
- Rehearse weekly in a full big-band setup
- Focus on large-ensemble literature
- Take advantage of opportunities for improvised solos or instrument features as charts allow.
- Perform in scholarship benefit concerts and community events (2 total performances per semester).
- Active Semester or School-Year Plan & successful entry audition.
- Upon successful audition, purchase the Junior Big Band Add-on package.
- Maintain an eligible active GSJC Ensembles enrollment for the term.
- Regular attendance at weekly rehearsals and scheduled performance dates.
- Commitment to rehearsal preparedness: students must come ready to achieve weekly rehearsal goals.
- Junior Big Band is available through an eligible GSJC Ensembles membership or add-on, not as a standalone enrollment.
GSJC Big Band
A limited-seat, auditioned group for High School and advanced 8th Grade Students ready to perform classic and modern big band music at an advanced level.
Open to active GSJC Ensemble members in grades 9–12 (advanced 8th Graders considered) on the Semester or School-Year Plans. Chair auditions are held each semester, and audition music is provided to enrolled students.
Each chair may have one prepared alternate. Alternates keep the music ready in case a seat opens. Chair assignments are reviewed each semester, and all students audition again for the next term.
- Rehearse weekly in a full big-band setup
- Focus on advanced large-ensemble literature
- Feature in improvised solos, section showcases, and instrument features as available.
- Perform in scholarship benefit concerts and community events (2 to 3 total performances per semester).
- Select recording, regional performance, and GSJC Summer Camp feature opportunities may be offered when available.
- Optional fundraising or travel projects may be considered when enrollment, family support, and finances allow.
- Active Semester or School-Year Plan
- Successful video or live audition approved by the ensemble coach and director.
- Upon successful audition, purchase the Big Band Add-on package.
- Regular attendance at weekly rehearsals and scheduled performance dates.
- Commitment to rehearsal preparedness and weekly goal mastery.
Gem State Jazz Ambassadors
A tuition-free (i.e. no add-on required), auditioned honor group for active members selected to represent Gem State Jazz Camp through leadership, concerts, and community events.
Auditions open ONLY to active GSJC Ensemble members in grades 9–12 on the Semester Plan*, including students on nontraditional jazz instruments. Selection considers playing skill, improvisation, preparation, and positive, community-minded leadership.
Placements are reviewed each semester. Students who audition should be prepared for assignments to change as the ensemble develops.
Students who are not selected remain active in GSJC Jazz Combos, where they can continue developing and audition again the following semester.
*Auditions do not guarantee selection or placement. Please consider carefully if you aim to sign-up for the Semester or School-Year Plans to qualify for auditioning.
- Participate in scheduled extended faculty-coached rehearsals and approved student-led preparation as assigned.
- Develop improvised solos, instrument features, student and director arrangements, jazz standards, original music, and selected modern repertoire.
- Perform in selected scholarship benefit concerts and community events as scheduled.
- Participate in educational outreach performances when scheduling, school approval, family support, and venues allow.
- Select recording, paid performance, and GSJC Summer Camp feature opportunities may be offered when appropriate.
- Semester Entry Audition: Successfully pass the entry audition prior to the start of Semester 1 or 2.
- Rehearsal & Performance Attendance: Maintain consistent attendance at all scheduled monthly faculty rehearsals, weekly student-led rehearsals, and extended community performance dates, including the monthly jam sessions.
- Preparation & Focus: Complete all assigned repertoire goals prior to rehearsals.
- Ensemble Leadership: Serve as an active student leader (or section leader equivalent) inside a core GSJC Jazz Combo or GSJC Big Band
Minimum expectations for auditions:
Core Musicality (All Instruments):
- Sight-Reading: Basic-to-intermediate jazz sight-reading proficiency.
- Forms & Styles: Ability to perform the melody and improvise over standard jazz forms (12-Bar Blues, Rhythm Changes, and Bossa Nova).
- Harmonic Knowledge: Arpeggiating basic chord tones (∆, 7, m7, m7b5).
- Scale / Mode Fluency: Major, Lydian, Mixolydian, Dorian, Melodic Minor, and Major/Minor Pentatonic scales.
Rhythm Section Benchmarks:
- Guitar & Keyboards: Demonstrate functional comping patterns, shell voicings, and voice-leading over standard jazz progressions.
- Bass: Demonstrate steady walking bass lines and grooves in 4/4, 3/4, Bossa Nova, and Funk/Fusion styles.
- Drum Set: Demonstrate clean groove control, timekeeping, and comping setups in 4/4, 3/4, Bossa Nova, and Funk/Fusion styles.
How to Request Audition Materials: We intentionally place the initiative on the student to request their audition packet.
- Send a professionally written email to Camp Director Jimmy Pérez-Lawrence at jimmy@gemstatejazzcamp.com.
Set the subject line to: Ambassador Audition Materials Request.
Include your name, instrument, current grade, and a brief introduction explaining why you want to join the Ambassadors.