The Eugene Rousseau Saxophone Workshop with Jarrard Harris is one of the oldest and prestigious Saxophone-specific camps in the United States. It is one of the cornerstones of the Shell Lake Arts Center.
The Saxophone Camp is a dual jazz and classical saxophone immersion experiences for students. During the week, campers will participate in small ensembles, solo performance, and private instruction with our Master Teacher, Jarrard Harris.
June 11 @ 2:00 pm - June 16 @ 5:00 pm
For students completing grades 6-12; Adult Registration as commuter only and with instructor consent.
Final Concert:
Friday, June 16-3:30pm in the Darrell Aderman Auditorium
On Friday at the final performance, all students will play in an ensemble and perform a solo with accompanist. All students, no matter what their playing level is, will benefit from the experiences they will get at this camp. Saxophone players from concert and jazz bands can expand their skills, technique and knowledge and focus on saxophone specific topics. Alto, Tenor, or Bari–All are encouraged to attend at this camp. You may even get the chance to perform on any or all during the week.
Daily Schedule
7:15 Wake Up
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Group Warm Up and Calisthenics
9:30 Masterclass (Saxophone Technique, Saxophone History)
10:30 Ensemble Rehearsals (Duos, Trios, and Quartets based on students with like abilities and skills)
11:30 Listening/Discussions (Jazz and Classical Performance)
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Jazz Improvisation (grouped by like abilities and skills)-No Experience needed
2:00 Solo Practice Time/Lessons
3:00 Free Time/Private Lesson (each participant receives a private lesson during the course of the week)
5:00 Dinner
7:00 Evening Concerts/Camp Activities
10:30 Lights Out
Placement Screening:
On Sunday when campers arrive in Shell Lake, they will meet with the instructor to assess their skill level and abilities. This is a low pressure opportunity for Mr. Harris to learn a little bit about you and what you can do on your saxophone!
Students should be prepared to:
-Play a full range chromatic scale (Whatever your lowest note is to your highest note)
-Eb and Ab Major Scale (2 octaves preferable),
-A 2-3 minute excerpt of a classical, jazz or etude solo of your choosing
-An improvisation over Bb Blues Changes (If you don’t know how to do this, you will by the end of the week!)
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, saxophonist and educator Jarrard Harris attended the Youth Performing Arts School in high school and attended the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music to further his jazz studies. At CCM he studied with Rick VanMatre, Pat Harbison, and Marc Fields. Upon Graduation from CCM Harris moved to Chicago in 1998 to further his studies at DePaul University where under the tutelage of Bob Lark, Tim Coffman, and Marc Colby he earned his master’s degree in jazz studies. Harris currently lives in Chicago, where he is on the jazz faculty of Northwestern University, Columbia College…
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Questions? Feel free to contact us for any additional information.
Accommodations ~ Lodges are available for the duration of the camp session. They are supervised by a professional counseling staff on duty 24 hours each day and meals are prepared under the supervision of a state-approved dietitian.
Commuter students are expected to remain at camp until the day's activities are completed (Typically 9:am-8pm).
Registrations ~ Online registrations are accepted until the camp is full. Students may be placed on a waiting list if desired. A camp registration form is sent after payment is received. All cancellations must be made in writing and received 3 weeks in advance of the start of camp for a full refund. A $75.00 fee will be deducted from your refund. Refunds less than three weeks before camp will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
Residential Tuition~Our student tuition is $725 per student and includes instructional fees, room and board and a camp t shirt which will be worn at the final performance. Please refer to the registration materials found on our registration site at Ultracamp for complete details. A $100 down payment is due at the time of registration. The remaining balance can be paid at the time of registration or in equal monthly installments. All Tuition must be paid before arrival at camp.
Commuter Tuition~This option is for campers that want to attend our camps but not stay in our dorms, The $400 tuition covers instructional fees, a camp T-Shirt which will be worn at the final performance, meals, and evening activities. Commuters arrive for their first class by 9AM, and can be picked up any time after evening activities conclude (usually around 8pm).
Scholarships ~Each year, the Arts Center raises funds for the scholarship program. If you are interested in applying for an Arts Center scholarship, please visit our website
Check-in/Check-out~Check in begins at 2pm on Sunday of the week your camp begins. All medical, dietary, and consent forms must be completed in UltraCamp before arriving at camp. Additional information will be emailed to you approximately 4 weeks before camp begins.
Additional Information ~ To request disability accommodations, or other special requests, please contact the Arts Center at least two weeks in advance of camp. More information about camp and all of the opportunities available at the Shell Lake Arts Center can be found on our website.
Participants are admitted without regard to race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. The Shell Lake Arts Center is an inclusive organization, and we accept all artists and musicians.