College students and non-collegiate musicians from the United States and eight other nations are visiting Cal State Long Beach to attend the Henry Mancini Institute, an educational music program of the American Jazz Philharmonic, said Mitchell Glickman, executive director of the Henry Mancini Institute.
Having arrived at CSULB on July 29, the institute's 71 participants have just finished their first week of the four-week summer program, Glickman said.
Every day the participants play or learn about music for eight hours a day, said Jeannine Flores, guest-artist host of the institute.
"This program is very intense," said John Altman, an institute participant from Chicago. "There's a little stress [in participating because of the work hours]. But it takes mostly hard work and tenacity."
Each day the participants play and study music with professional musicians hired by the American Jazz Philharmonic, Glickman said. They learn music by receiving one-on-one instruction and by playing in small combos and orchestral sections. They study and perform in various musical styles, from jazz and classical to pop.
"I was never really challenged before," said Phillip Rodriguez, a participant from Santa Barbara. "But I think this [program] is a good challenge for me. [Musically] it will get me shape."
Through panel discussions with guest conductors and composers, participants also learn about the music business, technology in the music industry, the experiences of other musicians and the history and future of music, Glickman said.
"[The program] exposes what musicians are up against," said Carla Bay, a participant and CSULB student. "You'll have work one week, and you won't work the next."
In addition to taking part in the institute, many participants are receiving jobs as professional musicians at concerts through the institute, Glickman said.
"I didn't think I would ever get a professional gig," said Megan Lent, a participant and CSULB student. "Since I have been here, just a week, I have already got three gigs."
All participants in the institute have received fellowships paying for their tuition in the program and their room and board at the residence halls, Glickman said.
Some participants may receive college credit for attending the institute, he said.
To get into the program, the applicants had to either attend an audition or send a tape exemplifying their musical talents to the American Jazz Philharmonic, Glick-man said. More than 300 people applied to the institute this summer.
But why did these individuals decide to enter the institute?
"To try something new," said Bray.
"This [program] is one of the things helping me get to my goal ... to make a living writing music," said Sean O' Loughlin, a participant from Syracuse, New York.
CSULB's University Music Center has been the site of the Henry Mancini Institute for two years, which is how long the institute itself has existed, Glickman said.
The executive directors of the American Jazz Philharmonic selected CSULB
as the site of the institute because of the musical focal points around
the university, such as the California Institute for the Preservation of
Jazz, KLON and the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, he said.