Yes - the camp shirts really are this color
Today (Sunday, July 31st) is the introduction to MBJC (Mel Brown’s Jazz Camp), and I’m here. It’s just like being back in summer camp. There’s a registration table. There are Counselors. Surprise meetings with old friends. A camp t-shirt. A welcome from the camp director. Even name tags – although they aren’t wood-burned into birch-bark.
From the start, the camp is well-organized. Signs direct us to registration. Our packets are ready, T-shirts are in piles according to size, the dorms and clean and waiting. Everything is efficient and smooth.
Tim Gilson
Smooth – unlike my audition. Tim Gilson, MBJC Bass Faculty, politely asks me to play one octave of a Bb Major Scale. I muff it. He asks me to play a Mixolydian Scale – uh, nope – I don’t have any of those. How about a G Melodic Minor – at least I have the presence of mind to suggest a G Harmonic Minor. In the easy sight reading segment, I forget that two flats means Bb AND Eb. Then comes sight reading a latin piece – which I totally fake my way through. All I can do is shake my head and walk out in abject misery.
Hey – news flash. Everyone muffs their audition.
Everyone.
That includes you. I polled MBJC attendees, and the most positive reaction I got was “I probably did OK”. The norm was “I blew it”, followed by a blow-by-blow description of exactly what portions they missed. The truth is that if you don’t walk away in dismay – then you weren’t really there in the first place.
“I wish there was a different way to do this,” mentions Gilson. “Sending in pre-recorded auditions could be done, but it’s hard to know how much editing has happened.”
Chris Woitach, MBJC Guitar Faculty puts it much more succinctly. “Do your best not to suck. Actually, that’s a pretty high bar.”
Apparently it’s not about the notes. It’s about how you perform in a high-stress situation. Falling apart and crying on stage is not acceptable. Everything else is forgiven. Everyone muffs their audition. Everyone. Relax.
Gordon the Warden
“It’s about having fun,” Gordon Lee reminds us during the introductory session. “You’re here to learn something, and to enjoy yourself.” The attendees agree.
“Park your ego at the door,” adds Mel Brown. “You may be first chair in your orchestra back home, but you’re going to get smoked by some of the players here. All of us have big ego’s – don’t let that get in your way. And don’t touch the drumsets.”
Looking across the full auditorium, there are several distinct, but related groups at MBJC. One group is obviously the faculty, and related to them, the counselors. The majority of attendees are students – they look to be in High School, no College students that I can see. They’re talented, and have for the most part, practiced hard, and reaped the benefits. If you have doubts about the future of America, spend some time with this group. These kids that have shown they have the drive and discipline to accomplish something big.
My group is the handful of returning oldsters. Some of us are fighting off Alzheimer’s by keeping our brains busy. Some of us are here because we accompanied our kids to past camps, and we don’t know when to quit. Others of us are looking for a new challenge. Some of us are fighting off Alzheimer’s by keeping our brains busy. None of us are professionals, we’re just indulging a hobby that’s far cheaper than owning a sailboat.
Tim Gilson and Mel Brown
To close Sunday evening, Mel Brown and his Septet put on a concert in the Main Street Park in Monmouth. Following Mel, the Monteray Jazz Festival Next Generation Orchestra perform – sort of a This-Could-Be-You-After-MBJC. It’s inspiring, like a keynote speech, and sets the tone for the week.
Jazz Mom Bobbie Brown
But I’ve got to close. Bobbie Brown, “Jazz Mom”, warns us to get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow morning, she’s going to be knocking on doors, and won’t stop until we get to breakfast and are ready for master class at 8:30 am. I may be scared of auditions – but I’m much more scared of crossing Jazz Mom.
Mark writes. Mark plays Bass. Mark does Software. Two out of three ain't bad.
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…mmmhhmmm… (as Bobbye would say).
Love the article! As we watched the opening concert with friends and family last night, my husband and I were reminising about the first time we sent our son Kyle to Mel Brown Jazz Camp. With a cheap old trombone in hand and a head full of steam, he had just turned 13 years young, and was sooo excited. He was impossible the morning of sign in, and convinced his Dad to get there early…so early, the sign in tables were not even set up yet. We are quite sure he got to know ‘Jazz Mom’ fairly well that year (and the years to come) and we loved seeing his growth each year at the final camp concerts. So, it was a proud moment for all of us to watch him perform last night with The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra for the very camp where it all began. It was truly just a few short years ago that he was one of the kids on the grass wondering what he could do. So campers – challenge yourself this week and each day, because ‘it really could be you after MBJC’. Kyle, Tree, and Joonas – the 3 Oregon musicians you saw on stage last night all went to MBJC, as did many of the NW musicians who have been in NGJO over the years. You have to practice, be in high school, practice, be good to your parents, practice, and do what ‘Jazz Mom’ says while at camp! Thank you Mel Brown Jazz Camp and The Monterey Jazz Festival for encouraging jazz in our youth. Have fun!