SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Band Director Academy
BDA is a multi-day professional development workshop for band directors. Led by a team of prominent jazz educators, we focus on the essentials of teaching jazz, emphasizing hands-on learning and practical techniques.
About the program
Band Director Academy (BDA) is a multi-day professional development workshop for band directors. Led by a team of prominent jazz educators, we focus on the essentials of teaching jazz, emphasizing hands-on learning and practical techniques.
Faculty includes: Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, Rodney Whitaker; Director of Jazz Studies at Temple University, Terell Stafford, and others TBA.
Discounts, travel stipends, and scholarships are available!
How to participate
2024 Tuition
$400 General Tuition
$350 2023–24 Essentially Ellington members
$300 Undergraduate or Graduate music education students
$200 NYC Teachers
Travel Reimbursement Scholarships
JALC is pleased to offer scholarships to directors who need assistance in covering the cost of attending BDA. These monetary awards are intended to help defray costs of transportation and accommodations. Scholarships will not cover all travel and accommodation expenses.
To apply for a scholarship, please submit a letter on your school’s letterhead indicating the following:
- Estimated total expenses for transportation and hotel costs
- Anticipated income from your school, band boosters, self, and others
- Short paragraph explaining your financial situation, anticipated fundraising events, special circumstances, and any other information you may deem important
Checks are disbursed at registration on the last day of the Academy.
Payments
Payment is due by Monday, June 3, 2024. Payment after June 3 will result in a $50 late processing fee. Tuition is fully refundable through June 3 and a 75% refund is available for cancellations between June 4-26. No refunds will be issued once BDA begins on June 27.
2024 Tuition
$400 General Tuition
$350 2023–24 Essentially Ellington members
$300 Undergraduate or Graduate music education students
$200 NYC Teachers
Travel Reimbursement Scholarships
JALC is pleased to offer scholarships to directors who need assistance in covering the cost of attending BDA. These monetary awards are intended to help defray costs of transportation and accommodations. Scholarships will not cover all travel and accommodation expenses.
To apply for a scholarship, please submit a letter on your school’s letterhead indicating the following:
- Estimated total expenses for transportation and hotel costs
- Anticipated income from your school, band boosters, self, and others
- Short paragraph explaining your financial situation, anticipated fundraising events, special circumstances, and any other information you may deem important
Checks are disbursed at registration on the last day of the Academy.
Sample schedule
Day 1
12:30 – 1:30pm Registration
1:30 – 2:45pm Welcome and Overview of the BDA
2:45 – 4:15pm Classes
4:15 – 4:30pm Break
4:30 – 6:30pm Classes
Day 2
9:15 – 11:30am Classes
11:30 – 11:45am Break
11:45 – 1:00pm Classes
1:00 – 2:00pm Lunch (on you own)
2:00 – 4:30pm Classes
4:30 – 4:45pm Break
4:45 – 6:15pm Classes
6:15 – 7:30pm Optional Jam Session
Day 3
9:15 – 11:15am Classes
11:15 – 11:30am Break
11:30 – 12:45pm Classes
12:45 – 2:15pm Lunch Provided (Offsite)
2:30 – 3:30pm Classes
3:30 – 5:00pm Director Reading Band
Day 4
10:30 – 12:00pm Q&A with Faculty
12:00 – 1:30pm Lunch (on your own)
1:30 – 2:30pm Classes
2:30 – 2:45pm Break
2:45 – 6:00pm Classes
6:00 – 9:00pm Dinner and Faculty Concert (Dizzy’s Club)
your visit
Location
All 2024 Band Director Academy Classes will be held at:
Frederick P. Rose Hall,
Jazz at Lincoln Center
60th and Broadway, NYC
Enter on the corner of West 60th Street and Broadway, take the JAZZ elevators to the 5th floor. Take a left off the elevator to enter the Irene Diamond Education Center.
Getting Here
There are three major airports in and around New York City: John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark International Airport. All three have public transportation in and out of Manhattan. You can also take a taxi to and from the airport.
The train is a great option for those traveling along the East Coast. Amtrak, NJ Transit and the Long Island Rail Road run through Penn Station. Grand Central Station offers service via Metro-North railroad. Both stations are conveniently connected to the NYC subway system.
If you are planning to drive to New York, please visit nyc.bestparking.com for parking information.
Transportation
Columbus Circle is easily accessible by the New York City Subway system. The A, B, C, D and 1 trains stop at 59th Street-Columbus Circle and run every day. Fare is $2.75 per ride.
You may also opt to take a taxi in and around the city. Taxis in New York are metered fare.
Or you can walk! It is easy to walk around midtown Manhattan and we are not far from attractions such as Times Square, Central Park and Lincoln Center.
Meals
Dinner at Dizzy’s Club on Sunday, June 30th, is included in your tuition. BDA participants are responsible for purchasing all other meals. A list of local restaurants will be provided upon registration on the first day. For more information on New York City, including tips on getting around, what to see and do and where to stay please visit nycgo.com.