Study Abroad: Jazz in Italy with Steve Dancz

Jazz up your summer in Europe!

Jazz: Understanding the Tools of the Trade

For players and non-players: come to Europe in May to study America's indigenous art form in the hills of northern Italy.
Investigate the elements that make up the music and provide an understanding of the art form. From New Orleans to the Big Bands, from be-bop to hip-hop, we will study the timeline of jazz and classic albums by major artists ranging from Ellington to Miles Davis to Herbie Hancock.
Examine jazz as a springboard to many facets of the contemporary music industry including the topics of desktop production and film scoring.
Enhanced appreciation and listening skills for non-players; sharpened technique and improvisational skills for players through applied study and small group performance.

Program dates: May 17 – June 4, 2010

Program features:

3-credit hour course
Excursions: On the weekends, students take a break from the rigors of study to explore the Italian culture. Situated in the northeastern corner of Italy, Alessandria provides an ideal launch pad for exploration of the Piedmont, Lombardia and Liguria region and beyond. Students will visit museums and concert halls, hear local performances, and absorb the Italian culture.
Program fee: $4500 (plus applicable UGA tuition). This cost includes housing, the use of the Conservatory facilities, breakfast and dinner. The program also includes all transportation to and from the Milan Airport, full coverage health insurance while under the auspices of the program, weekend transportation, and the cost of group activities on our excursions. Air fare is not included.
Application deadline: February 5, 2010. $500 deposit required, refundable if cancellation is received before March 6, 2010.

Applications are available online at: http://www.uga.edu/musicabroad/index.html

While in the Study Abroad Program, students from other American institutions be accepted as transient students at UGA and will receive transferable credits for courses taken.

Students can investigate financial aid opportunities on the University of Georgia Office of International Education website: http://www.uga.edu/oie/sa_scholarship.htm

Study Abroad Q&A with Steve Dancz on the 2010 jazz courses...

There appear to be two options for UGA music study abroad in Italy, one in Alessandria and one in Venice. What is the difference?

The Venice location offers only music history (classical)--all the performance opportunities and the courses I will be teaching will be in Alessandria. Though not as famous as Venice, I'm told the town and area is quite beautiful--we are close to Milan and Turin and there are excursions to great places every weekend.
I am not a music major or minor, and I was wondering if that would effect my chances of going?

Not at all--the courses I teach will be open to any student from any major.
Also, I don't play an instrument, at least not anymore anyway--I used to play the violin, but does it matter if I don't play an instrument?

It doesn't matter. I will be teaching two courses, one designed for performers, the other for non-performers. Here's how they will differ...

The class for non-performers will study jazz from the point of view of understanding the elements that make up the music. We will be 'looking under the hood' to study what makes up the music and what makes the music unique among world art forms. We will study music theory (as it applies to jazz and improvised music, geared toward non-music majors) including an investigation of form and song analysis, appropriate to non-majors.

In addition, the course will cover the study of jazz history, putting the music in an overall historical context, then more specifically going back to the roots of the music (including work songs, blues and gospel), exploring how players developed and interacted. We'll also study classic albums and the artists that created them, giving special attention to innovators like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Miles Davis.

The other class will be structured for the musician/performer. The curriculum will include private applied study with me as we cover areas incorporating jazz theory, form and analysis, tune study and jazz/pop keyboard skills. If desired, we can also explore desktop production as it applies to your development as a player, or if appropriate, as a composer. In addition, there will be an improvisation workshop for the class as we work in small groups, culminating in a combo performance with Italian jazz musicians.

Each class will carry 3 credit hours.
Are there scholarship opportunities available?

Yes, there are. UGA's Office of International Education has information on scholarships. Here is their website: http://www.uga.edu/oie/sa_scholarship.htm

It is important to visit this site as soon as you can to check the application deadlines==some scholarships close as early as Fall Semester.
What if I attend a university other than UGA--can I still register and receive credit on my transcript?

Yes. While in the Study Abroad Program, students from other American institutions will be accepted as transient students at UGA and will receive transferable credits for courses taken.
How do I get started?

To apply and to find further information on credits, cost, excursions and facilities, go to: http://www.uga.edu/musicabroad/

If you have general questions about participating in the music Study Abroad Program please contact Professor Milton Masciadri at 706-542-2779 or 706-254-8734 or by email at mmasciad@uga.edu. He has traveled to Alessandria many times and can answer questions about the town, surrounding area, and the weekend excursions around Italy.

If you have questions regarding the jazz courses, please contact Steve Dancz at sdancz@uga.edu. Early application is encouraged and the application deadline is February 5, 2010. I look forward to seeing you in Italy in May!