Camp Information and Faculty

Tentative Schedule

Sunday, June 16th

1:00 pm  Registration, Auditions and Residence Hall Check-In.
5:00 - 6:30 pm  Dinner
7:30 pm  Camp Meeting
8:00 pm  Jim Widner Big Band Concert

Monday-Friday, June 17th - 21st
8:00 - 8:50 am  Breakfast
9:00 - 9:50 am   Ear Training Class
10:00 - 11:20 am  Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal
(sectionals T, W & Th, listening lab M & F)
11:30 - 12:20 pm  Masterclasses
12:30 - 1:20 pm  Lunch
1:30 - 2:20 pm  Improvisation Class
2:30 - 4:00 pm  Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal
(sectionals T, W & Th, listening lab M & F)
4:15 - 5:30 pm  Student Combos, practice or free time
5:30 - 7:30 pm  Dinner
7:30 pm  Camp Meeting
8:00 pm  Jim Widner Big Band Concert
(every night except Wednesday and Friday. Wednesday's concert is the Student Combo Concert and admission is free.  Friday's concert begins at 6:30 pm)

What to bring:

• Instruments including amps, drumsets & cymbals
• Folding Music Stand
• Commuters need lunch or money to purchase food in the Food Court

Students will perform as the opening act for the internationally known Jim Widner Big Band in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall at 6:30 pm on Friday, June 21.  Family members, teachers and friends are encouraged to come support the students as they demonstrate their improved skills and share a concert with one of today's hottest jazz bands!  Tickets are $10 and one ticket is good for all or any concerts, including Friday.

Fees and Tuition
Day Commuter Tuition Fee is $330 for all five days.  The fee includes an opportunity to work with professional musicians for five days in a variety of settings including:

• Masterclasses
• Theory Classes
• Improvisation Classes
• Sectionals
• Rehearsals
• Group Listening
• Five evening concerts with the Jim Widner Big Band

*Meals are not included (an evening meal plan is available for an additional $60)

The Residential Tuition Fee is $630 for all five days.  It includes all of the above items plus:

• 5 nights lodging in the UNO Residence Halls
• 16 meals

Scholarships

• A limited number of partial, talent-based scholarships are available
• Contact Dr. Peter Madsen for more information at 402-554-2297 or petermadsen@unomaha.edu
• 1 hour of graduate credit is available to qualified individuals

Facilities
All events are in the Strauss Performing Arts Center or Milo Bail Student Center on the UNO Campus.
Parking Permits may be purchased for on-campus parking
Residential Campers will stay at UNO's on-campus housing facility, University Village.  Each apartment has four individual bedrooms, two bathrooms, , a living room and a fully equipped kitchen.  A UNO chaperone will be in each room throughout the week to supervise residential campers.

**Unless otherwise requested, all final information packets will be emailed this year and available on this website.  Hard copies available only upon request.**

Camp Faculty to be Selected From:

Saxophone Section:
Kim Richmond, Dave Pietro, Chip McNeill,
Gary Anderson, Darren Pettit and Stan Harper

Trumpet Section:
John Harner, Jason Johnson, Mike Vax, Dave Scott and Clay Jenkins


Trombone Section:
Scott Whitfield, Brett Stamps, Pete Madsen and Steve Wilson

Rhythm Section:
Ken Kehner, Rod Fleeman, Gary Hobbs and Jim Widner


Jim Widner is an alumnus of the Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Glenn Miller Big Bands and is celebrating his 24th year of hosting summer camps all across the United States.  As a bassist with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Jim was strongly influenced and motivated by Kenton's dedication to young student musicians.  He was a faculty member for the Kenton Camps for 10 years and helped Stan organize and expand his camps from California to other locations across the United States.  Jim has performed at the world famous Lionel Hampton and Montreaux Jazz Festivals.  His performance background includes concert dates with Clark Terry, Buddy DeFranco, Mulgrew Miller, Louis Bellson, Randy Brecker, Bill Watrous, Marilyn Maye and an appearance before former President Bill Clinton.


Dr. Peter Madsen is a Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  He is the director of the UNO Jazz Ensemble I, UNO Jazz Combos and the Low Down Brass Ensemble.  Dr. Madsen holds a DMA from the University of Illinois, an MM from Northern Illinois University and a BM in Music Education from the University of Missouri.

Gary Anderson: A native of Southern California, Gary Anderson graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he studied with Charlie Mariano and began his professional music life as a full-time professor as well as a member of the world-renowned Berklee Saxophone Quartet with mentors, Joe Viola and John LaPorta.  1973-1978 saw Gary as featured arranger and music director for Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd as well as performances and recordings with Frank Sinatra, Charles Mingus, Chet Baker, Tony Bennett, and more. Since 1978, Gary’s career in New York has included creating music for 100’s of TV, Film and Broadway Productions. He has received many awards for music composed for shows such as The Price Is Right,  Matchgame, One Life To Live, Guiding Light, Elmopalooza, and ABC’s 2008 Election Coverage and 2009 Presidential Inauguration. Gary’s most recognized creation to date would have to be the “Itchy & Scratchy” theme from The Simpsons!!  Most recently Gary has been in the studio composing and producing for Animal Planet’s “Housecat Housecall” as well as music for ABC TV’s “Nightline,” the 82nd  Annual Academy Awards show and ABC News’ “World News Now.”

 
Rod Fleeman: Rod Fleeman has been a professional guitarist for over 30 years. He developed a love for jazz while a freshman at Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO. After high school Fleeman attended the University of Utah and studied jazz guitar under Dr. William Fowler. Fleeman returned to Kansas City to work extensively after his freshman year. He played jazz six nights a week at various jazz venues, became the staff guitarist at Starlight Theatre and “learned the ropes” of playing a myriad of musical genres as a freelance musician and member of the Kansas City Musician's Union Local 34-627. Fleeman returned to the academic environment after receiving a scholarship to attend the University of Miami. He was drawn to Miami because of the outstanding jazz program and the recommendation he received from former Miami student, Pat Metheny. Fleeman made the number one jazz band and continued his professional career as a guitarist for various shows on Miami Beach. A move to New York was next, where Fleeman did extensive touring and recording with the jazz fusion group Dry Jack. Since returning to Kansas City in 1981, he has toured and recorded with such artists as Marilyn Maye, Karrin Allyson, Jay McShann, Claude Williams and Interstring. Fleeman has taught jazz guitar at Missouri Western State College, the University of Kansas and is currently on staff at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

John Harner: was a music educator in the Xenia Community Schools in Ohio for 25 years where he conducted three Middle School Bands and Choirs, and the XHS Jazz Band. He is also the Director of the Cedarville University Pep Band and is the trumpet instructor at Central State University.  John is a former 1st-Trumpet player of the Stan Kenton Orchestra and has recorded 3 CD’s with them including: "Kenton Plays Chicago, "Fire, Fury, and Fun," and "Kenton ‘76," where he is the featured soloist on Send In The Clowns. He also was the 1st Trumpet player at the Dunes, the Sands, and the Sahara Hotels, from 1977 until 1984 and the split-lead player at Caesars Palace in 1983, performing for entertainers that include Johnny Carson, Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis, Doc Severinsen, Vic Damone and many others.

Stan Harper: Born in Omaha, Stan Harper has played saxophone in the area for over 20 years. He received his Bachelor degree in music education in 1996 from UNO. He is currently a member of the Omaha Big Band, Finest Hour, and Bluehouse with the Rent to Own Horns. Stan has performed with Steve Allen, Lou Rawls, The Supremes, Bob Mintzer, Tom Kubis, The Jim Widner Big Band, and The Temptations and "grew up" touring with the Broadway show "Anything Goes". Currently Stan teaches elementary music for the Omaha Public Schools and is blessed to have a wonderful wife and 15 year old daughter. He is a member of the Omaha Musicians Association. Local 70-558.
 
Gary Hobbs: Drummer Gary Hobbs is a native of the Pacific Northwest and lives in Vancouver, WA. He has played professionally for over three decades and appears on over 50 recordings. Gary played with The Stan Kenton Orchestra from 1975 through 1977. Through the years Gary has played with Randy Brecker, Pete Christlieb, The New York Voices, Bill Mays, Kurt Elling, Bobby Shew, Bobby Watson, Bob Florence, Carl Saunders, The Woody Herman Orchestra,Terry Gibbs, Jaquie Naylor, Jim Widner Big Band, and the Mike Vax Big Band. Carnagie Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Tivoli Garden, Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap are among the venues Gary has played along with scores of festivals and clubs all over the world. Gary is very active in Jazz Education teaching at The University Of Oregon and traveling all over the US doing clinics, concerts and jazz camps with the help of Bosphorus Cymbal Company and the Yamaha Corporation of America.

Jason Johnson: Jason Johnson is originally from East Moline, Illinois and received his bachelor's degree in music education from Northern Illinois University in 1996. After graduation he enlisted in the US Navy and spent eight years in the fleet music program. While stationed in Naples, Italy, Jason performed extensively throughout Europe and Northern Africa. In 2004, he became a member of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra with a one year contract as acting 3rd trumpet. He then moved to the Phoenix area to attend Arizona State University where he completed a master’s degree under the guidance of Professor David Hickman. While in Phoenix he was a regular substitute with the Phoenix Symphony and a member of the acclaimed Sonoran Brass Quintet. Jason is a former student of Ron Modell and Stephen Squires, and has consulted with Sam Pilafian, Patrick Sheridan, Vince DiMartino, Vincent Cichowicz, and Barbara Butler. Well versed in the classical and jazz idioms, Jason has also performed with the likes of Quincy Jones, David Sanborn, and Phil Collins.

Ken Kehner:  Ken Kehner holds a degree in Piano Performance from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, where he served as staff accompanist, and later joined the faculty as an adjunct jazz instructor. This is his sixth year teaching jazz piano at University of Missouri - St. Louis, where he also conducts several jazz combos.  He has appeared with such noted artists as Bill Watrous, Bobby Shew, Buddy DeFranco, Pete Christlieb, Louie Bellson, and Clark Terry. Ken is on the staff of the Jim Widner Summer Jazz Camp series and appears regularly with the Jim Widner Big Band. Currently living in Jefferson City, Missouri with his wife, Annette, Ken is in demand as a free-lance pianist, recording artist, clinician and adjudicator around the state, and maintains a full studio of piano and jazz piano students.

Chip McNeill: Chip McNeill is an Assistant Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at Virginia Tech University. He is currently the Musical Director and jazz tenor saxophonist for Grammy Award Winning recording artist Arturo Sandoval and has recorded with Arturo on his latest release "Hot House" on N2K Encoded Music. He was previously the Musical Director and jazz saxophonist for Maynard Ferguson. Chip produced, wrote and performed on four of Maynard' s latest releases: "One More Trip To Birdland" ('96, Concord Jazz), "These Cats Can Swing" ('95, Concord Jazz), "Live From London" ('94, Warner Bros. Jazz), and "Footpath Cafe" ('93, Avion Jazz).

 
Mr. McNeill has performed at countless jazz festivals and clubs around the world such as The North Sea Jazz Festival (The Hague, Holland), The Noto Jazz Festival (Japan), The Wigan Jazz Festival (England), The Pori Jazz Festival (Finland), The Wiesen Jazz Festival (Australia), The Immatra Jazz Festival (Finland), The Warsaw Jazz Festival (Poland), The Capitol Jazz Festival (U.S.A.), The Charlotte Jazz Festival (U.S.A.) and clubs such as The Blue Note (New York City), The Blue Note (Tokyo), The Blue Note (Osaka), Blues Alley (Washington D.C.), The House of Blues (Los Angeles), and the Jazz Showcase (Chicago).
 
Mr. McNeill's list of recording credits as a jazz tenor saxophonist have included such notables as Arturo Sandoval, Nat Adderley, Duffy Jackson, Ira Sullivan, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Ted Shumate and Larry Willis.
 
A Graduate of the University of Miami (Master in Studio Jazz Composition), he enjoys an active performance schedule as a solo saxophonist, clinician, writer and pianist. His past performances included numerous tours around the world with Arturo Sandoval, Maynard Ferguson, The Woody Herman Orchestra, The University of Miami Concert Jazz Band, and the North Texas State 1 O'clock Lab Band.
 
He has also performed with many of the world's top jazz artists and entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joe Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Eckstine, Wynton Marsalis, Randy and Michael Brecker, Nat Adderley, David Liebman, Bob Mintzer, Slide Hampton, Tom Harrell, Paquito D'Rivera, and Ira Sullivan. Special venues he has performed include Carnegie Hall (U.S.), Town Hall (Sydney, Australia), the London Palladium and numerous jazz radio and television productions in Europe, Japan, U.K., India, and Indonesia.

Chip loves playing so much that he also performs with many local artists including the Bob Peckman Jazz Band. He often plays piano when we need it, exposing the secret that he is also a monster piano player.

Darren Pettit received his bachelors degree in saxophone performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1995. While attending UNO, he was awarded the Presser Scholarship and the Dean's Award from the College of Fine Arts. He then received a full scholarship to the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music where he received a masters degree in saxophone performance. Mr. Pettit performs regularly with the Omaha Big Band, the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra, the Omaha Symphony, the Omaha Community Playhouse, and tours extensively with Rave On. Currently, Darren teaches Saxophone, music theory, eartraining/sight-singing, and jazz survey at UNO. He also directs the Metropolitan Area Youth Jazz Orchestra (MAYJO), the UNO Saxophone Quartet I and II, the UNO Jazz Combo I, and is the co-founder/co-director of the Omaha Jazz Workshop. He also maintains a large private studio and is in constant demand as a performer.

Dave Pietro: Originally from Southboro, MA saxophonist-composer Dave Pietro has been on the New York music scene since 1987.   From 1994-2003 he played lead alto saxophone and recorded five CD’s with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra.  He has also performed with the bands of Maria Schneider, Harry Connick Jr., Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman, Ray Charles and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.  As a leader, Pietro has recorded six CD’s for the A-Records/Challenge label with musicians such as Dave Holland, Bill Stewart, Kenny Werner, Scott Colley and Brian Blade.  Dave has degrees from the University of North Texas and New York University and is an assistant professor of music at New York University.  He is sponsored by Rico Reeds and the Conn-Selmer Company.

Kim Richmond:  Kim Richmond is based in Los Angeles and works as a freelance musician, doing studio work, shows and various jazz venues. His reputation is primarily as a doubling saxophonist (most often lead alto saxophone, doubling on flutes and clarinet). Kim has been a member of the orchestras of Stan Kenton, Bob Florence, Vinny Golia, Clare Fischer, Louis Bellson, Bill Holman and many others. Kim has multiple recordings as a leader, including the Grammy-nominated “Refractions” and his most recent release “Live at Café Metropol” which has received much critical praise. Kim is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California, teaching ensembles, saxophone and composition. Kim and Clay Jenkins hold the Northwoods Jazz Camp (Rhinelander, Wisconsin) for adult jazz students. He is often a member of the faculty at the Centrum Summer Jazz Camp in Port Townsend, Washington. Kim is a Selmer Artist-Clinician and plays Vandoren reeds.

Dave Scott:: New York resident Dave Scott is an award winning trumpet player with a wide range of professional experience who has worked with some of the greatest jazz artists in the world. As a clinician and soloist Dave has performed on numerous jazz festivals and at schools across the United States including the University of Illinois, the University of Missouri, the University of Texas at Austin, Arizona State University, the University of Oregon, California Institute of the Arts, Syracuse University and the University of Utah. He has been featured at the Newport Jazz Festival with Gerry Mulligan, at the Monterey Jazz Festival with Harvey Wainapel’s Quintet, and has performed with the Tom Harrell Big Band in Los Angeles and New York.  In 1984 Dave was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in jazz performance. Dave is currently on the jazz faculty at Western Connecticut State University. Dave Scott is an endorsing artist for Conn-Selmer and plays a Bach trumpet.
 
Brett Stamps:  Brett Stamps has been the Director of Jazz Activities at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville since he initiated the Jazz Performance Degree in 1979. He obtained his BA in Music from the College of William and Mary (1970) and his MM in Studio Music and Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Miami (1975). He currently holds the rank of Professor of Music. Brett performed, recorded and arranged for the United States Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors (1970-1973), the Stan Kenton Orchestra (1973-1974), and the University of Miami Concert Jazz Band (1974-1978) before accepting a teaching position at Miami-Dade Community College New World Center (1978- 1979). St. Louis area performance credits include the Jim Widner, Kim Portnoy, Mo Bottom and Gary Dammer Big Bands; Fox Theater & MUNY Orchestras; the St. Louis Rivermen; Cornet Chop Suey, Legacy; Galaxy; the SIUE Jazz Faculty; and various clinics, concerts and recordings (including his CD releases In Your Own Sweet Way and Bad to the Bone for Victoria Records). He directs the SIUE Concert Jazz Band and teaches jazz combo, improvisation, arranging, trombone, education, and history. Brett remains active as a composer/arranger and clinician.
 
Past endeavors include directing Missouri and Illinois All- State/All-District Jazz Bands, presenting trombone ensemble master classes (USF), writing music commissioned by the
IMEA, private individuals and local schools, directing annual concerts of his original music at the historic Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, writing for trombone quintet, touring nationally with Cornet Chop Suey and the St. Louis Rivermen and teaching/performing at the Jim Widner Band Camps.

 
Mike Vax: Mike Vax is an International Artist for the Getzen Company. He has played lead and solo trumpet with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, the Clark Terry Big Bad Band, and the U.S. Navy Show Band.  Mike has also performed and/or recorded with such greats as Art Pepper, Al Grey, Freddy Hubbard, Don Ellis, Louie Bellson, Bob Florence, Joe Williams, Anita O’Day, June Christy, the Four Freshmen, The Glenn Miller and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras, many of the top military bands, the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band, and the Dukes of Dixieland in New Orleans. Mike is a Summit Records artist, has performed on more than 75 albums, including 20 under his own name. He is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Friends of Big Band Jazz, a very active 501c3 nonprofit corporation that has given scholarships to jazz camps, funds to jazz programs in schools, and recently made a donation to Habitat for Humanity for the Musicians Village in New Orleans. Mike has done workshops and concerts in over 2500 elementary and junior high schools, high schools, colleges and universities all around the world, over the past 40 years.  He is very active as a clinician and soloist in both the classical and jazz idioms. He now leads the Stan Kenton Alumni Band that tours all over the United States.
 

Scott Whitfield: Scott Whitfield is internationally recognized for his work with contemporary bands, including his own Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestras (East AND West).  In addition to Whitfield’s own recordings, he has performed and recorded with many diverse artists, including Nat Adderley, Lionel Hampton, Toshiko Akiyoshi, the Pied Pipers, and many others. Scott holds a BM in Trombone from Florida State University and MM in Jazz Studies from North Texas State University, and also served on the faculties of the University of North Florida and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. A frequent clinician and guest artist for Getzen trombones, Whitfield has appeared throughout the world, from Australia to Zurich, sharing his expertise on trombone technique, improvisation, composition, arranging, and jazz history.

Steve Wilson: Steve Wilson received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and holds both a Masters degree and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
 
Dr. Wilson has been active in the El Paso community as a performer.  He is the bass trombonist with the UACJ Orchestra Juarez and has performed with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and the El Paso Wind Symphony.  Dr. Wilson has given many low brass clinics, solo and chamber recitals and master classes at UTEP and for students in the El Paso, Ysleta, and Socorro school districts.
 
Dr. Wilson has been active nationally and internationally both as a soloist and as a member of the Continental Trombone Quartet, having given recitals and master classes at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, the International Association of Jazz Educators National Conference in Los Angeles, the International Trombone Festivals in Brazil and China, the Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington, D.C., the International College Music Society Conference in Spain, the International Vernacular Congress in Mexico, the Texas Band Masters Association Convention in San Antonio, and performances at various universities across the United States. Dr. Wilson is an artist/clinician for the Getzen Company.