Established in 2005, the Jazz Series Jazz Camp Scholarship Fund, part of the James Williams Jazz Series Education Program, sends gifted students on a yearly basis to an intensive week of studying with professionals. Returning students, who are at least 14 years old and who currently attend Columbia/Central Missouri-area junior high, high school or college-age institutions, may apply. The successful applicants are selected by a committee comprised of area music educators and musicians. The Jazz Series administrates the program. This year the Jazz Series will offer up to five (5) separate scholarships.

UMKC Jazz Camp

Three (3) scholarships in the amount of $300.00 each will allow the successful applicants to attend UMKC Jazz Camp held on the Kansas City campus, June 26-30, 2011, under the direction of saxophonist Bobby Watson. To learn more about UMKC Conservatory of Music Jazz Camp please click here.

Jamey Abersold Summer Jazz Workshops

Two (2) scholarships in the amount of $500.00 each will allow the successful applicants to attend one of two Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop held on the University of Louisville campus, either July 3-8, 2011, or July 10-15, 2011, in Louisville, KY, under the direction of Jamey Aebersold. To learn more about Jamey Aeberold Summer Jazz Workshops please click here.

Eligibility criteria

• Students are currently enrolled at a Columbia/Central Missouri area junior high, high school or college or university.
• College/University students WILL be returning to the school they apply from the following academic year; junior high/high school students WILL be returning to the school they apply from and/or be matriculating into the next sequential school the following year.
• Students must be involved with their respective school's jazz band program.
• Previous recipients are ineligible to apply for one (1) academic year unless. permission for inclusion in consecutive years should be subject to review from the Jazz Series and the Scholarship coordinator. That should be included in the rules, probably.
• PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL APPLICANT RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE:
1. Previous scholarship recipients are ineligible to re-apply on consecutive years unless they have moved from junior high to high school or from high school to college/university level AND they receive permission from BOTH the Jazz Series Administration AND the Scholarship Coordinator.
2. Previous scholarship recipients may receive a scholarship only ONCE at each school level.

Additional Guidelines/Requirements for successful applicants

• Successful applicants are required to show proof of registration and, unless otherwise agreed upon, proof of registration payment
• Upon proof of registration payment the Jazz Series shall release the scholarship funds less $50.00 directly to the successful applicant.
• Successful applicants are required to compose a two-page (2-page) essay, typed, double-spaced, recounting their experiences. Upon completion of the essay the Jazz Series shall release the scholarship's remaining $50.00, payable to the applicant.
• Scholarship recipients shall allow the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series to post their essay comments in full or in part on its website, www.wealwaysswing.org, for public viewing and may use recipients' comments for promotional purposes. Recipients shall be notified in advance of the posting.
• Scholarship recipients allow the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series to photograph them and post on its website, www.wealwaysswing.org, for public viewing and may use recipients' image for promotional purposes. Recipients shall be notified in advance of the posting.