Jazz Combo Camp
UNI Jazz Combo Camp will be held June 21-26, 2026.
This will be a week-long exploration of jazz music for high school students, including performances, workshops, jam sessions, master classes and more, offering a curriculum that covers jazz style, improvisation, theory, ear training, and performance through daily combo rehearsals and two concerts.
The camp is intended for high school students, those going into 10th grade and above, and instructors.
Cost for the week for a resident camper (staying with us on campus) is $600 and includes a dorm room, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cost for commuters is $450 and includes lunch and dinner. An early bird discount of $25 off is available for those who register prior to May 1st!
Saxophonists and trombonists are pre-screened in order to ensure optimal instrumentation and to admit the most qualified applicants. The deadline for saxophone and trombone registration and pre-screening has been extended until May 11 (early bird discount no longer applies). Selections will be made in the following week. Apologies for any inconvenience.
All other instruments, register by June 1 at 5 p.m.!
2026 campers will stay in Lawther Hall. A limited number of single rooms are available if needed.
Prepare for Your Combo Audition
For your combo audition, be prepared to improvise on a blues or another tune of your choice. You are encouraged to bring along a device such as a phone or ipad with iReal Pro to use as an accompaniment. In addition to demonstrating improvisation, pianists, guitarists, vibraphonists and bassists will also demonstrate accompaniment techniques (walking, comping). Drummers will demonstrate a variety of styles and tempos. Back line equipment (amplifiers, drum set) will be provided for the audition and performances only.
Curriculum
- Combo rehearsals (2 each day)
- Masterclasses with an artist on your instrument
- Ear training/transcription classes
- Theory classes
- Jam sessions
- Nightly concerts
Instructors
Learn more about who you'll be working with and learning from during camp.
Registration Information
Registration Deadline: June 1, 2026
(May 1 for Saxophonists and Trombonists)
Mailing Address:
Jazz Combo Camp
University of Northern Iowa
115 Russell Hall
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0246
Fax: 319-273-7470
Questions? Call 319-273-2024
Students are advised to register on one instrument only. This should be the instrument on which they feel most comfortable. Students registering on more than one instrument will be placed on an instrument according to instrumentation needs of the camp. Once placed, students will NOT have the option of changing instruments.
You must be checked into camp by 4pm Sunday, June 21. If not you will be placed in the least experienced combo group. Drummers MUST provide their own drums. Guitarists and bassists MUST provide their own amplifiers and cable. If you play a bari sax, bring a bari with you.
Due to the nature of the camp, slots for each instrument are limited. Several instruments fill up quickly, particularly saxophone. ALL slots will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Register early to insure a place.
ALL REGISTRATIONS MUST BE PAID PRIOR TO THE CAMP