Jazz Girls Day

Saturday, March 16th, 2024 @ VCU

Jazz Girls Day empowers young girls and non-binary gender students to have the skills needed for self-confidence in the performance of jazz. Jazz Girls Day is open to all students grades 6-12 interested in playing or singing jazz. Beginners to advanced and all instruments/voice are welcome. Jazz Girls Day is a safe, supportive atmosphere where all students can grow.

  • When: Saturday – March 16th, 2024
  • Time: 11 am – 4 pm
  • What: Workshops and Mentoring
  • Cost: Free
  • Where: VCU James Black Music Center, 1015 Grove Ave, Richmond, VA 23284
  • Deadline to register: Friday, March 9th, 2024 
  • Bring your own lunch, snacks provided
  • Bring your instruments, cymbals/sticks. Drum sets, keyboard, microphones, and amps will be provided. 
  • Park on the street or West Broad Street Parking Deck
  • Parents must come inside the Black building to register their students at 11 am
  • Parent volunteers: contact Shannon Gunn to sign up as a volunteer and fill out paperwork by March 9th, all parent volunteers have to undergo training
  • For more information, contact Shannon Gunn at gunns3 [at] vcu.edu
  • Students will get materials in advance by email
Register For VCU Jazz Girls Day
Campus Map

Schedule

11:00 am Registration

11:15 am Jazz Girls Day Faculty Performance

11:30 am Improv. Workshop #1

12:15 pm Music Masterclass

12:30 pm Improv. Workshop #2

1:15 pm Lunch and VCU Jazz Orchestra Performance

2:15 pm Improv. Workshop #3

3:00 pm Informal Concert for Friends and Family with Faculty

 

Jazz Girls Day Faculty:

  • Shannon Gunn, Jazz Trombone, VCU
  • Suzi Fischer, Saxophone
  • Minjee Jang, Piano
  • Karine Chapdelaine, Bass
  • Angel Bethea, Drums
  • Taylor Barnett, Trumpet, Director of Jazz Studies VCU

All teaching materials will be pulled from my Women Jazz Composers Curriculum, designed as a professional development project for Shannon Gunn’s K-12 recertification.

Why do we need a Jazz Girls Day DC?

See my blog post, Why We Need Jazz Girls Day DC – Women in Jazz Research for full research and details.

According to music education research, there is a “gender gap” within the jazz art form, as evidenced by jazz bands consisting of less than 25% women, despite 50% in music programs, across schools and universities in the United States. The Jazz Girls Workshop aims to ensure that gender does not get in the way of a young person’s desire to play jazz. The Jazz Girls Workshop instills self-confidence, provides examples of other women as successful jazz performers, and gives networking opportunities to the youngest students who wish to pursue jazz. By instilling a strong foundation in leadership and performance skills, students can strive for excellence without boundaries.

Here is an article about how women are treated within the jazz industry: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/feb/16/female-uk-jazz-musicians-face-sexual-harassment-and-discrimination-says-report

Here is an article on Melba Liston’s experience in the jazz industry: https://indianapublicmedia.org/nightlights/proving-melba-liston-arranger-lady-trombone.php

Source: McKeage, K. M. Gender and Participation in High School and College Instrumental Jazz Ensembles. Journal of Research in Music Education, 52(4). Winter 2004.