Curriculum
Curriculum | Questions & Answers | Policies | Forms
At DayJams students learn techniques needed to play the music they love... rock and roll! Campers attend classes twice a day focusing on their chosen instrument and they also take the musical skills they possess to play in their band. Whether you're an absolute beginner or a more advanced player, DayJams offers the opportunity to learn guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, vocals, or horns from professional musicians and teachers in a friendly and creative curriculum based environment.
FORMING A ROCK BAND
Each camper is placed in a band under the direction of a faculty coach. DayJams makes every effort to group students into bands by age and musical preference. Teachers guide their groups through a team-oriented process of writing, rehearsing, and performing their original song. This includes instruction in songwriting, ensemble playing, and stage presence. Students form lasting friendships as they work together as a band, jamming, writing, and just having fun. The bands perform their original songs in rehearsal throughout the week and at the Friday evening concert!
STUDENT TO STAFF RATIO
DayJams provides a safe, enjoyable experience for all campers. Our student to staff ratio is 5-to-1 (staff includes teachers, counselors, and administrative personnel). Our student to teacher ratio is generally 8-to-1 and in some locations 10-1 (depending on enrollment and levels of musicianship).
VISUAL ARTS
Our art staff helps campers design T-shirts, posters, and CD covers for their bands. Art class provides another creative outlet for campers during the week. In many locations art class is devoted to teaching and demonstrating varied aspects of band promotion.
SONGWRITING
Campers learn to express their ideas through music and lyrics. The collaborative writing project reinforces the concepts of cooperation and teamwork.
LIVE PERFORMANCE
The Friday night concert is the culmination of every DayJams session. It is a fun and informal way for bands to show their family and friends how far they’ve progressed.
RECORD A CD
Campers not only write a song, but they also record it. The Friday night concert is recorded and each camper receives a CD at the end of the summer. In addition to the CD, in 2008 we are also looking forward to providing MP3 files for every camper.
TEXTBOOKS
All DayJams textbooks, received by every camper, are written specifically for us by National Guitar Workshop Publications, another sister company of DayJams. Their music textbooks are available nationwide at fine music & book stores, on Amazon, and through the bookstore on National Guitar Workshop's website. www.guitarworkshop.com/books/