Swing Week is
now in its 20th year and is bursting with high spirits! This is an exciting week of music,
dancing, and improvisation.
Swing Week Coordinator,
Wendi Bourne,
has selected an exciting staff of musicians/instructors
this year, including:
Joel & Alison Plys
[top left photo], Sue Matthews
[top right photo], Steve Abshire
[lower left photo], Michael Gamble & Jaya Dorf,
John Jensen, Robert Redd, Gerald Ross, Roger Bellow, Ralph Gordon, Steve Larrance,
and
Master Artist, Rusty Mason [lower right
photo].
Plus our special Guest Master
Artists, Johnny Gimble
[middle right photo]
and his son, Dick Gimble.*
*Johnny Gimble's
appearance is made possible with support from the NEA and the
Darden Restaurants Foundation.
Instruction focuses on the dances and dance
music of the 1920s to the 1950s. Music classes concentrate on big
band standards, swing and jazz chord progressions, technique, playing
with other musicians,
theory, and improvisation. Students should be at
least
intermediate players of their instrument, even if they are new
to swing
(except for guitar students, for whom all levels are
welcome, including beginner).
If you are unsure if you qualify as an "intermediate"
student, contact the Augusta staff, who
will be happy to connect you with an instructor to discuss
your
level. The swing dance program
includes am and pm classes in
East and West Coast swing, Lindy, and more.
With two sets of dance
teachers, very
experienced dancers as well as those
newer to swing dancing can be
accommodated.
A daily group session brings everyone together for
lively presentations on swing and jazz.
In the afternoon, the dance students are
offered more dance classes, and the
music students are divided into bands and coached by members of
the staff. Each band will perform at the end of the week. Swing
Week runs concurrently with Bluegrass Week. Swing
Week students may also participate in afternoon Bluegrass Week classes
and band labs, including Teen Band.
Daily
"Slow Jams" (where the tunes are played SLOW for learning)
are offered.
Evenings feature concerts by the staff, jam sessions led by staff
musicians, practice sessions for dancers, and
nightly dancing to an incredible variety of music.
Do you have questions
about Swing Week?
Feel free to call 304.637.1209, or
email Swing Week Coordinator,
Wendi Bourne at
swing@augustaheritage.com.
