SEQUIM — The Jazz in the Olympics Society may be silenced, but an annual Lake Crescent summer school for youths and older musicians once sponsored by the society plays on.
Jazz in the Olympics Society, which for years put on an annual traditional jazz festival in Port Angeles, announced it was going to dissolve in December.
“In spite of the demise of the Jazz in the Olympics Society, it should be known that we still continue to have the camp,” said Bud Critchfield, a longtime Clallam County youth music supporter from Sequim who has stepped in to head up fundraising.
Karayco Productions Inc., a nonprofit corporation, now manages Camp Heebie Jeebies under a contractual agreement.
The youth camp, known for 16 years as Camp Heebie Jeebies — so named after a Louis Armstrong song — enters its 16th summer season July 3 for a week at Camp David Jr. on Lake Crescent.
Jazz in the Olympics Society’s dissolution became official Tuesday, Critchfield said.
But the camp already is full, he added.
“We’ll have a total of 70 kids this year,” he said.
Critchfield is taking over fundraising for the camp from the group’s former fundraiser, Gary Sorenson, who was the Jazz in the Olympics festival director.
“If it wasn’t for Gary Sorenson, we wouldn’t have a dime,” Critchfield said.
Students come from the Port Angeles-Sequim area; Ocean Shores, Olympia, Seattle, Bellingham; Portland and Seaside, Ore.; Whitefish, Mont.; and Victoria and Chilliwack, B.C.
The youngest student was 12, and the oldest student was 78.
Camp Heebie Jeebies does not have an upper age limit, so adults of varying ages often attend.
Critchfield was in charge of the Jazz in the Olympics youth program for many years, and his students make up more than half the total camp enrollment.
These students are sponsored by the scholarship fund as well as from donations made by other organizations and individuals.
Placed in bands
Camp Heebie Jeebies campers are placed in seven traditional jazz bands — with eight to 10 musicians in each — and three big bands with 20 to 23 musicians in each.
The bands rehearse each day and perform in a final concert at the end of the week.
The rest of the Camp Heebie Jeebies curriculum consists of a 50-minute daily theory class, instrument/vocal sectionals, improvisation and rhythm section classes, swing dance instruction and vocal instruction.
Students also attend a one-hour concert each night presented by Camp Heebie Jeebies’ faculty.
Toward the end of the week, students are selected to sit in with the instructors to get the experience of playing with professional jazz musicians.
Karla West, camp director, has created a daily event called “lunch hour entertainment” to provide additional performing opportunities for students.
The instructional staff is made up of 12 professional musicians.
A typical day at Camp Heebie Jeebies begins with a full breakfast at 7:45 a.m., a 50-minute theory class at 8:45 a.m., a two-hour traditional band rehearsal at 9:45 a.m., lunch with entertainment from noon to 12:45 p.m., sectionals at 1 p.m., improvisation for front-line players at 1:40 p.m., and big-band rehearsals are scheduled one after another from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Recreation and vocal/dance instruction take place during big-band rehearsals since only about 20 students are involved with each big band.
After dinner at 8:30 p.m., the students have jam sessions.
To donate to sponsor a Camp Heebie Jeebies youth musician at Camp David Jr. on Lake Crescent, phone Critchfield at 360-582-3082.
For more information about Camp Heebie Jeebies, visit www.campheebiejeebies.us.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
