Monday, March 30, 2015

Southwest Walkway Nears Completion



Please remind your students ---

The walkway will be installed over spring break and ready to open Tuesday April 7.

Students will return on Monday and teachers will provide instructions and the walkway protocol.

On Tuesday, the old link will be closed and the new Walkway will be open.

On Monday – April 6 – Please inform your students that the old Link will be closed at the end of the day on Monday April 6.


Southwest High School
Protocol for the New Walkway between East and West buildings

The walkway will extend from door 13 to door 16.  There are doors on both ends and emergency doors to the outside near the ends of the walkway.

The EAST building and Walkway will be OPEN 6:00 am to 4:30 pm during regular school days.  The EAST building and walkway will be CLOSED before and after those hours and on Saturday and Sunday.

The walkway will be OPEN during all the passing times.

The walkway will be CLOSED during scheduled class period times.

An EA will be assigned to each end of the walkway to eliminate the traffic between periods.

At the start of each period the walkway will be cleared by an EA and CLOSED

After 4:30 pm there will NO access to the EAST building except by coaches and teachers with keys to doors 17 0r 19.  There will be NO access to lockers, classrooms, etc. after 4:30 pm

After 4:30 pm it will not be possible to get into the East building to retrieve items from lockers, etc.

Thank you.
Bill Smith
Southwest High School, Principal

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Southwest Construction on East Building Continues


Construction on the East building at Southwest High school continues.  Stone is being removed and will be reused to maintain the general decor of the original building.

The East unit is schedule for demolition over spring break.  The Link will follow in early April.   Construction will continue with completion scheduled for fall of 2016.

Southwest Foundation Accepts AmazonSmile

What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support.
How do I select a charitable organization to support when shopping on AmazonSmile?
On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. We will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.
How much of my purchase does Amazon donate?
The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The purchase price is the amount paid for the item minus any rebates and excluding shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes, or service charges. From time to time, we may offer special, limited time promotions that increase the donation amount on one or more products or services or provide for additional donations to charitable organizations. Special terms and restrictions may apply. Please see the relevant promotion for complete details.
For more information and sign-in site: smile.amazon.com

Friday, March 27, 2015

Southwest IB Reflections Due


Seniors going for the Southwest Medallion or IB Diploma CAS Hours and Reflections are due soon!

Directions to submit CAS can be found here:

Due on:  April 6, 2015

Where:  IB/AP Office (Room 105) or online through Managebac

Questions: Email Lisa Ledman at Lisa.Ledman@mpls.k12.mn.us
                        Or Rachel Jevne at Rachel.Jevne@mpls.k12.mn.us

Southwest Foundation Paety April 9


Southwest Foundation Party - April 9th 

Party coming up! Don’t forget, the week after break is the Southwest Foundation’s spring party for all parents, teachers, and alums! 4/9 @ the 1010 will be held on Thursday, April 9, 7-10 pm at the cool Uptown party space at 1010 W. Lake, under the CVS. 

We’ll have food, drinks, music, pool, Pac-Man, popcorn, and great conversation. Meet other parents, talk with Dr. Smith, and support the work of the Southwest Foundation which benefits every student at Southwest. 

Space is limited, so please rsvp today to ellen@southwestfoundation.org

If you can’t attend, please contribute to our work here: http://www.southwestfoundation.org/give-now/  

We need the help of every family at Southwest to meet our goal and provide Southwest’s students with the tools, activities, and experiences they need! Hope to see you there!

Southwest Schilarship Applications Due April 8


General Scholarship Now Open- Due April 8
The 2015 Southwest General Scholarship application is now open. 

 All seniors are encouraged to complete this one application, available in student’s Naviance accounts, to be considered for up to 17 need- or merit-based scholarships.  

The application deadline is Wednesday, April 8. 

Information about the participating scholarships and directions for locating the application is available on the SW Counseling website: http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/scholarships_2

Southwest Robotics Team Continue Competition



View video of team in action!

 
There are 123 competitors entered for the SPRING BREAK Friday 3 April competition, including 5 from Mainland Chinese Major City Technical High Schools. 
We're in Mariucci Arena; half of the teams are in Williams Arena kind of next door - 60 teams in Mariucci, 63 in Williams. 
(We'll be practicing on Thursday 2 April in the Arena, and if we're good enough, we'll be in the playoffs on Saturday 4 April)
 

Southwest West Side Almost Clear and Ready For Rebuild


The rubble outside the old west side rooms of 27, 113 and 114 is almost cleared away.  The process of developing the foundation and necessary ground work begins.

The old telephone company building is removed, the custodial shed is gone and now so are the old rooms.  That small section was part of the original 1940 building.  In coming weeks, we can watch the development as two new science rooms are constructed and a dance studio and additional music room.


Thursday, March 26, 2015

Southwest Jack Pflum qualifies for the 2015 National Championship

Minneapolis Southwest student and avid snowboarder Jack Pflum is a member of the G Team and qualified to compete at the 2015 USASA National Snowboarding Championships held at Copper Mountain in Colorado (March 28th-April 7th). Please wish him luck as Jack competes in the Slopestyle and Boardercross competitions.

The G Team provides the opportunity for motivated riders and skiers to train in freeriding, freestyle, snowboardcross and alpine disciplines under the direction of experienced, professional coaches along with the opportunity to compete in local, regional, national, and world competitions
Athletes train on hill in a small group setting. Riders are placed in groups based on their age, desired snowboard discipline and by ability. The rider to coach ratio is maintained at approximately 8:1 or less and there is no set requirement for attendance.
Riders seeking an introduction to snowboarding or to develop basic skills are encouraged to register for lessons through Three Rivers Parks,Buck Hill, Wild Mountain and Spirit Mountain. 

For more information: http://www.thegteam.com/about

Southwest Alimni Celina Kane Opens New Hat Line

Minneapolis Milliner Celina Kane Launches New Hat Line

Check out the entire article in the Minnesota Monthly and see wonderful pictures of the new Minneapolis inspired hats.


Southwest Getting Set For Remodeling


Southwest front yard looks very different and will remain part of the construction/improvement look for several months.  Trees removed to make room for equipment to make room for new landscaping and new trees and a vastly different look to the building.

Southwest has a reputation of excellence and that will continue.  While honoring th east and building on success, the new facility begins a new era in Southwest education for all students.  Just as the building builds on the history, so does the entire program.  

74 years of excellence leading to 75 more meeting the needs of the future of our students.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Southwest Construction Wednesday March 25




CLOSED : Men’s restroom on first floor across from main office
Women’s restroom below on the lower level – both for remodeling

CLOSED Doors: 1, 2, 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 20.

CLOSED Hallways: outside old 113/114 and Outside old Media Center

Demolition of interior old room E100

Continuing Demolition of West side of West Building

Demolition of the exterior of East Side of the East building – old E105, E103

Fence across the front (47th) from Door 3 (main door) to Door 20 (old Media Center)

Walkway closing access to Doors 15, 14A, 14, 13, and 2

Please remind students and visitors, DO NOT USE old Link doors 15 (north) and 1 (south)


Work in front of building will brush removal and clean up

Watch for continuing updates - Southwest Catch the Wave and Southwest Website

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Southwest Begins Landscape Improvements over a Few Months


Southwest front yard is going to look different this year.  Regretfully several trees became part of the construction project to renovate and enlarge Southwest High School.


Open space surrounding Southwest High School is scarce. The largest plot of dirt is the front yard.  in order to deal with equipment and construction materials it was important to find (or create) space.

Looking at the existing tree stock, the front yard became a prime location.  A couple trees were too close to the building.  A couple trees were showing signs of interior decay.  A few were old and favorites.  But the sacrifice was made for the next 18 months.

After construction the entire land surrounding the school and in front of the school, the entire area will be redeveloped.  New trees, scrubs and other plants will be installed.  We will be looking at the construction for months.  At the same time we need to look past the mess and see new growth and an attractive front to an attractive building.


Southwest Construction Week of March 23



CLOSED Doors: 1, 2, 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 20.
  • ·        Please review CLOSED Doors for your visit to Southwest
  • ·        Please review emergency exit routes and procedures for the various location of community education classes or location of events.

CLOSED Hallways: outside old 113/114 and Outside old Media Center

Continuing Demolition of West side of West Building

Demolition of the exterior of East Side of the East building – old E105, E103

Fence across the front (47th) from Door 3 (main door) to Door 20 (old Media Center)

Walkway closing access to Doors 15, 14A, 14, 13, and 2

Please DO NOT USE old Link doors 15 (north) and 1 (south)

Please continue to be aware of Parking Restrictions throughout the neighborhoods.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Southwest Construction Moves On


Old rooms 113 and 114 are now part of the rubble on the west side of the west building at Southwest.  Snow and other cold weather is not stopping the progress.  The roof and first floor set of rooms are now gone.  Exposed is the lower level and with this much completed in a day the lower level will be gone soon.

The fence was installed today across the front.  The walkway is across the back.  Now the area which will be the new three-story addition is enclosed and ready for serious work.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Construction Monday March 23

Southwest Construction happening Monday March 23

Walkway construction continues.  This closes door 13 (science wing near Athletic Office and the following doors -- 15 (in the link to the north), 14 and 14A, 

Installation of the fence in front of the building.  The fence will block of the following doors -- 20 (media center door), 1 (link door to the south), 2 (door leaving the west building to the east)

Door 3 (Currently Main Entrance from 47th) will remain open.

The doors circling the link and that area will be closed at the fence in front and the walkway make traffic in that area impassable.

The Walkway will be in place and open to traffic between the two building after spring break.  Once the Walkway is established the link will be destroyed.

Men's Restroom on 1st floor in West building (across from main office) is closed for remodeling.

Demolition of the west area of the west building (old rooms 113, 114 and 27) will continue.  There will be noise during passing time and the first lunch when that wing is at lunch.

Please drop off and pick up students near the corners of the buildings.  That would be near 12, on the northeast, 19 on the southeast, 4 or 3 on the southwest and door 7 on the northwest.  If at all possible do not use Beards Circle for student pick up and drop off.


Southwest 3rd Quarter Final Exam Schedule



Southwest 3rd Quarter Final Exam Schedule

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
English
Science
Health/P.E.
T.O.K./Psychology

Thursday, March 26, 2015
Math
Social Studies
World Languages\
Fine Arts/Tech Ed

Friday, March 27, 2015
Records Day
No School for Students




Southwest Olivia Schmidt Wins at District and Goes on to State Minnesota History Day



Olivia Schmidt, freshman at Southwest High School, and two of her friends competed at the Minnesota District History Day Competition.   Olivia and her partner researchers earn a spot at the State History Day Competition in April.

National History Day is an inter-disciplinary research project for students in grades 6-12. History Day teaches students to:
  • Conduct in-depth research
  • Use primary and secondary sources
  • Read a variety of texts
  • Analyze and synthesize information
  • Write and present historical content
Students choose a topic that relates to an annual theme, research that topic, and develop their research into one of five presentation categories: research paper, exhibit, documentary, performance, or website. Students may then enter their projects into History Day competitions at school, regional, state, and national levels. 

History Day State Qualifier: - Title: Open Heart Surgery -- Lizbet Martinez‐Pert, Olivia Schmidt, and Yasmine Tchida -- Southwest High School

Friday, March 20, 2015

Nine Southwest Authors to be Published in InkPossible Publication This Sumemr




Nine Southwest student authors were chosen for publication in InkPossible this summer! 

They will also receive one on one time working on their poems with the magazine's editor and a $100 prize. 

The Why We Ink book launch party is on June 29th at Open Book.

All are from the class of 2018:
  1. Keegan Robinson
  2. Zoe Seipp
  3. Maya Lengvenis
  4. Claire Loomans
  5. Billie Forester
  6. Sierra Pini
  7. Isabella Gold
  8. Peter Kronebusch
  9. Fiona Edwardson
Elise Toedt

MYP English 9

Construction Friday March 20


  1. ·         West building men’s restroom first floor across from main office is closed for remodeling
  2. ·         Hallway outside old 113/114 closed

  • ·         East building – construction continues in E100 (old office areas)

  • ·         Walkway construction outside continuing
    • Door 15 - heading north to Beards Circle will Closed today

    • Destruction of old 27, etc. continues
      •    There will be some noise

      • §  Digging, brick and concrete clean up
      • §  There may be more wall falling
      • § Some concrete sawing
      • o   We will relocate if too noisy

  • ·         West building door 13 – athletic office room 6 is closed

  • ·         Bike racks relocated to front of East building

  • ·         Testing finished end of day Friday

Fence across front from door 3 to door 20 will be installed Monday
Doors 1 (facing south in middle of link, Door 20 - Media Center Door and
Doors 14 and 14A will be Closed







Thursday, March 19, 2015

Southwest Speech Champions On To State!




The 2015 Southwest Speech season was filled with twists and turns that ultimately left us not knowing what to truly expect from sectionals. The results from the previous week’s National Forensics League tournament were very promising, but sectionals are a completely different monster. The one thing that we did know on the night of the 6AA Speech Sectionals was that what had preceded us did not matter.

We brought eleven students to the sectionals tournament, four of whom were new to Speech as of this year. After three preliminary rounds, five of the students made it to the final round, including a newcomer to Speech, Fiona Hanley. There were two others (Maisy Martin and Shira Rabkin) that missed going to the finals by one spot. Senior, Henry Aoki, also fared very well, missing the finals round by only two spots.

Out of the five that were in finals, four (all seniors) will be going to the State tournament, which is a new record for Southwest. The group going to the State Speech competition is comprised of Nathaniel Larson and Piper Shatz-Akin, who took first in sectionals in the Duo category. Seth Colbert-Pollack also took first while competing in Discussion,  Piper, Nathaniel and Seth are the FIRST Southwest students to be Sectional Champions!

Lily Ren, who competed in International Extemporaneous Speaking, came in at 2nd place. 

The State competition for Speech will be held at Lakeville North on April 18th.





Southwest Construction Continues With Wall Destruction

West side of building the old room 27 this morning

Southwest High School is under construction.  Windows are out and the wall is coming down.  The work is happening.  Noise is monitored and during school hours is limited.  Before and after school hours the work can be louder.  Construction generally is cleaning up at 6:00 pm.

Same area of teh building  - the old room 27 in the afternoon

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Southwest Practices Emergency Fire Drills


Southwest practiced a fire drill today.  The drill was successful.  As with any drill there some areas that will need improvement.  That is why we do the drills.

We will continue to conduct emergency drills whenever there is a change to our emergency routes due to construction.  The staff and students are informed of changes daily.  Teachers inform students of changes in emergency routes as they happen.

Today was the first of several emergency drills that practice safety.

Construction Wednesday March 18


Door 13 – (by Athletic Office) is CLOSED - temporary - probably three weeks

Door 5 – (old dumpster location) is CLOSED except for Handicap access and Delivery

Hallways outside old 113/114 and lover level old room 27 are CLOSED

Wednesday will be the start of the DEMOLITION of the west side of the building.

There is going to be over the next few days LOUD NOISE 7:00 to 8:30 am and 3:00 to 6:00 PM

·         During the school hours the noise should not be much different than normal airplane or traffic

·         Yes, there will some noise

·         Something may drop accidentally and every effort will be made to prevent that

If there is too much noise in certain areas we will move classes and relocate
e
·         The DEMOLITION will take this week, next and through spring break

Construction continues in room E100

Alternate emergency routes are explained to students after each change each period.


We will practice emergency drills as the construction progresses.  If you have questions, please ask.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Southwest Bike Racks Move this Week



Southwest students are great bike riders and there are lots of them.  The existing bike racks will get moved this week.  Next week the construction fence will close off the area.

We are moving the bike racks to an area east and in front of the East unit.  We encourage our students and staff to continue riding.  We are attempting to make the racks convenient and safe for our riders.

Southwest Alumni Carolyn Saulsberry Wins for Hamlilne

Saulsberry Scores Win For Second Straight Day

Carolyn Saulsberry in air


Carolyn Saulsberry showed she can jump far as well as run fast. The HU junior won the Triple Jump with a 36-9 3/4 effort on the final day of the MIAC Indoor Track & Field Meet at Moorhead.  It was her second win of the meet. 

On Friday, Carolyn won the 60 Meter Hurdles and finished fifth in the Long Jump. Jessica Putland also had another big day. One day after winning the Weight throw, Jessica was second in the Shot Put with a 46-7 1/2 heave. Erin Urbanowicz was a close third place with a 43-10 performamnce. Izzy Shafer capped a terrific freshman indoor seasonw ith an 11th place standing in the 200 Meters.

Hamline finished in fourth place overall with 79 points. That a jump of one place and 11 points from their 2014 totals. 



Header logo Header hamline

Southwest Alumni Making the Grades

Audrey Ortiz

Colgate University
Art & Art History
Dean's List
Inducted into the Konosioni Senior Senior Honor Society.

Denison University

Abigail Thill

Denison University
Women's Studies

TUTTI Festival

The 2015 TUTTI Festival was a joyous melange of 40 composers, seven music and dance concerts, four composer and artist talks/exhibits, two theatre events and a special TEDx event.

St. Lawrence University

Emma Cummings-Krueger

St. Lawrence University
English and environmental studies
Selected for inclusion on the Dean's List for academic achievement during the spring semester at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.


Southwest Construction Update Tuesday March 17



Southwest Construction Update

The hallway between the old rooms 113 & 114 and auditorium are now closed.  The lower level outside the cafeteria and old room 27 is partially blocked and should be used in emergency and for deliveries and handicap access only.  If either of those halls were part of your emergency exit, please prepare new emergency routes.

Work will continue to get ready for demolition of old room 27.  Brick is removed from the exterior.  That section of the west building should be destroyed by the end of this week.

Work continues inside the old room 100.


The dumpsters have been moved from the south to the north end of the west parking lot.  Please be careful when parking near the dumpsters.  During spring break yellow stripping will indicate the area needed by Waste Management to pick up and empty the dumpsters.  Normally WM is here around 6 am and should not be a problem.  However, if you are parked too close you will need to move your car when asked.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Ragtime - Get Your Tickets Early For This Weekend










Southwest High School proudly presents its 2015 Spotlight Musical. . .



At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing… and anything is possible. Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, three distinctly American tales are woven together -- that of a stifled upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician -- united bytheir courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future. 

Together they confront history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America.

Southwest Construction is Underway and Hallway is Closed


After a couple weeks anticipation, the hallway between the auditorium and old rooms 113 & 114 is now closed.  That hallway will be block until school opens this fall.

The hallway below outside the old room 27 and cafeteria is partially block except for delivers and ADA also until the fall.

Activity is happening around the school as more material arrives and work is actually happening.  The fence in the front yard to the east of main entrance (door 3) will be installed March 23.

The fist level set of classrooms will be two new science rooms and the upstairs will be a dance studio and music room.

Area C Meeting March 18 at Kenny Community School

Area C Meeting
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Kenny Community School | 5720 Emerson Ave. South
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Agenda
  • Budget Updates - where we are in the process - finance staff
  • What's next for Area C Meetings? 
  • Q&A - General Topics
light meal at 5:30 | childcare ages 3 & up | Somali and Spanish interpreters available | questions ? gael.ellis@mpls.k12.mn.us 612-382-0546

Southwest Renovation and Renewal of Front Yard


Southwest High School faces 47th Street West and will continue after the renovation and addition.  It is important to be part of the neighborhood.  A pleasant looking yard is important for all the various homes and facilities in the area.

As part of the Southwest project the front yard has not been forgotten.  The trees and grassy areas will be part of the remodeling.  Trees will be removed.  Some are too close to the building.  Some are in need of being refresh.  The picture indicates the new placement of trees, scrubs and plantings in the front and all the west side of the parking area.  The new design is in keeping with the city requirements of being green neighbors.

This year and next summer the front will appear to be very construction-like as the fence encloses the equipment and materials needed for the addition.  Soon, the newly planted trees and other plantings will enhance the face of the new renovated Southwest High School.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Southwest Former Band Director of Over 30 years Don Stoyke



Southwest marching band under the direction of Don Stoyke takes the field.  Estimate that the picture is from the mid-fifties.  If you know the exact year, please email.





Don Stoyke watches with careful and caring eye the practice of the Southwest band members.

Southwest Former Band Director Don Stoyke Passed Away Friday in Phoenix

Received word from Don Stoyke Jr that is father passed away last night in Phoenix.  That's about all I know at this point other than Don Jr. asked me to get the word out to any who might have known his father.  

Don Stoyke was one of the pioneers of band directors in the Mpls. Public Schools.  He directed bands at
Southwest High School for over 30 yrs.  He retired around 1974 from Southwest High and continued directing
bands at Lake Harriet during the summer and was instrumental in organization of the Richfield American Legion Band.

As a young teacher in Mpls, I considered Don to be one of my mentors and will always remember him as being 
stellar musician and wonderful friend.  Respectfully, Denny Malmberg, former Director South High School

Richfield Symphonic Band History

A small notice in the newspaper combined with a flurry of phone calls brought out about 40 WWII and Korean War vets, in late 1979, to the Richfield American Legion Post, with a view to organize a Concert Band under the posts sponsorship. Reuben Haugen, a well-known U of M clinician and jobbing musician was chosen as conductor. Don Stoyke, a local music educator and performance musician acted as assistant conductor. Dick Strasburg, a primary organizer of the band, served as the band manager. A rehearsal schedule was set up and we where in business.

Professional musicians, from a wide variety of backgrounds, along with working and retired music educators, made up much of the early membership. Some are still active today. Members have included alumni of the old Minneapolis Symphony, Dick Long’s Curtis Hotel Orchestra, The Robert Shaw Chorale Orchestra, The U.S. Marine Band, a retired member of the Minnesota Orchestra, and a Whoopee John Band member. Early members included local jazz musicians Harry Blons, Dick Pendleton, Mark Strachota, and Percy Hughes.

Some of the conductors, in the years following Reuben Haugen were: Don Stoyke, Burt Johnson, Alex Wilson, Bob Northernscold, Dick Weber,  Adam Sroka, Ken Ziemann, and Paul Maybery.
As a group principally composed of veterans, our performance schedule has reflected that heritage with appearances at The Minneapolis Veteran’s Hospital, Memorial Day observances at the Fort Snelling and Camp Ripley National Cemeteries, Veteran’s Day observances in the Twin Cities Area, the dedication of the WWII Veteran’s memorial in St. Paul, Minnesota Veteran’s Home, and an appearance with President Ronald Reagan. Our group also appeared at an annual meeting of the Minnesota Music Educators Association. The band was awarded 2nd place in the Senior Concert Band competition held in conjunctions with the National American Legion Convention in Minneapolis in September 1994.

Our sponsorship by the Richfield American Legion Post ended several years ago. The band is presently a freestanding group incorporated as a non-profit.

Our band was fortunate in acquiring a substantial amount of traditional Concert Band music from the bands that performed at Lake Harriet under conductor’s Don Stoyke, Al Rudd, and Elmo Lunkley.  All through the band history we have continued to build our library of classic and contemporary literature of American Concert Band, Broadway Show medleys, and concert band treatment of “Big Band” selections.

Dick Strasburg, Roy Hanson, Al Moe, John Connors,  Randy Olson, Dennis Opland, Tom Ryerson, David Butler, and Rita Bryan are former band managers. The current manager is Don Larson.


Southwest Students Voda and Swain Summer Jam 2015


Southwest musicians Max Voda and Riley Swain are part of this fantastic summer music opportunity. 

Summer JAM 2015
Jazz Around Minneapolis (JAM) is a two-week summer jazz music camp for MPS students in rising grades 7-12. The music camp is led by MPS music educators and includes instruction and mentorship of professional guest jazz artists. Students not only get to play and sing next to professional musicians, they gain knowledge and insight on what a career in the arts looks like.
JAM takes place in June 2015. Participating students must be enrolled at one of 26 MPS middle and high schools with active instrumental music programs. Up to 75 students are chosen to participate and transportation is provided to and from camp for all participating students. 
Instrumental JAM students study Jazz History, Jazz Listening Skills, Music Theory, Technique and Performance and apply their learning through daily Jazz Combo (small group) and Big Band (large group) rehearsals, all in an engaging, collaborative and highly participatory learning environment. 
Vocal JAM students study jazz history, improvisation, solo techniques, vocal pedagogy and theory while learning jazz standards. Faculty and visiting guest artists demonstrate and teach techniques, style and interpretation while focusing on helping student develop their solo voice. 
Monday through Friday, June 15–26, 2015
South High School
8:30am–3:30pm (Monday–Friday)
Location TBA June 27th, Twin Cities Jazz Festival Performance
Please contact Emily Quinn with any questions.
JAM Forms