Butler Youth Jazz Program
Butler Youth Jazz Program
Develop your jazz skills and experience the energy of ensemble playing in the Butler Youth Jazz Program. This program gives students the opportunity to play in small combos, learn from Butler faculty and local jazz professionals, and grow as improvisers and collaborators.
This program is for ages 12–18.
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Sunday 3/15, 4-6pm (rehearsal)
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Sunday 3/22, 4-6pm (rehearsal)
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Sunday 3/29, 12-2pm (rehearsal)
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Sunday 4/12, 4-6pm (rehearsal)
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Sunday 4/19, 5-7pm (rehearsal)
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Sunday 4/26, morning – official time TBD
One prior year of experience on your instrument is required. A placement audition is required with your registration. This audition does not determine your entry into the program; rather, it will help form combo groups based on experience levels.
Email your audition video to the instructor, Kent Hickey, via kahicke1@butler.edu
- Prepared Jazz Piece: Choose and perform a jazz piece of your own selection.
- Guitar and Piano: Your prepared piece should include examples of comping (accompanying) within the performance.
- Bass: Your prepared piece should include prominent bass lines that showcase your playing.
- Scales (for all instruments except drummers): Prepare and play four scales of your choice, which can include major, chromatic, mixolydian, etc.
- Improvisation: Play an improvisation over a 12-bar Bb blues progression.
- Drummers: Demonstrate your skills with 16 bars each of three different styles:
- Medium swing
- Latin/Bossa Nova
- Rock/Funk
Total Cost: $275
Deposit: A non-refundable $25 deposit is required at checkout. This deposit is applied toward your total tuition.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $250 is due one week before the program starts.
Register by Sunday, March 8.
Kent Hickey is the instructor of BYJP!
Kent Hickey is an in-demand trumpet player and educator based in Indianapolis, IN. He is currently on faculty at both Butler University and the University of Indianapolis as Adjunct Professor of Jazz Trumpet where he teaches applied lessons and jazz combo. In addition to his university teaching responsibilities, Kent also serves as the Outreach Liaison for the Butler Youth Jazz Program, a component of the Butler Community Arts School. Professionally, Kent freelances in and around Indianapolis and leads two groups of his own, the Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective and the Kent Hickey Trio. His groups have performed at renowned local and regional venues like the Chatterbox, Merriman’s Playhouse, Blockhouse Bar, Fulton Street Collective (Chicago), Blu Jazz+ (Akron), and the world-famous Jazz Kitchen. Less recently, Kent played trumpet on Royal Caribbean cruise ships the Summers of 2018 and 2019. Future aspirations include additional teaching at the university level, continuing to freelance professionally, and releasing recordings of original compositions and arrangements.
Aaron Wilson is an Indianapolis-based tenor saxophonist, doubler, composer, and educator. Currently majoring in Jazz Studies at Butler University, he has been playing professionally for 5 years, and is active in school ensembles and the Indianapolis jazz scene. He has had the opportunity to play with greats like Steve Allee, Sean Imboden, Sophie Faught, Rob Dixon, and Kenny Baron with the Butler Jazz Ensemble.
Aaron is this semester’s Teaching Assistant!
Sam Butler is a professional jazz trumpet player, composer, arranger and educator based in Indianapolis, IN. He has performed all around the United States with various ensembles including Sammy Miller and The Congregation, the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, Sean Dobbins and the Modern Jazz Messengers, and the Visions Jazz Ensemble, which he co-leads with saxophonist Garrett Fasig. As the winner of the 2023 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Solo Competition and with two albums out as a bandleader, Sam is making a name for himself in the modern jazz scene. He is immersed in the blending of musical styles, and is creating a unique voice that includes folk, classical music, funk and jazz.
Sam is this semester’s Guest Artist!
Tommy Neidecker is currently a band director at Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center, serving the school since 2020. Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Mr. Neidecker studied music education and jazz studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music before teaching in Wayne Township. In addition to teaching, Tommy is an in-demand classical and jazz trombonist. In 2019, Tommy was also selected as a member of the Disneyland All-American College Band, performing for guests at Disneyland every day. His other notable performance experience includes the Crossroads Brass Band, Southern Indiana Wind Ensemble, and as trombonist for Chicago-based rapper Big Bill. He frequently performs at venues in and around Indianapolis, notable inclusions being the Palladium and the Jazz Kitchen.
Tommy is this semester’s Lead Teacher!