| What is the Bob Wills Swing School? |
The Bob Wills Swing School is a five-day music exploration into spontaneity, improvisational performance, and the experience of “playing all you know and more.” If you are a student between the ages of 12 and 17 or, maybe, outside of the age range but would like to be considered, and if you currently play a musical instrument or sing, know the basics of reading music, and are eager to explore the spirit of improvisation, welcome to the new school in town!
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| What are the dates, times, location? |
Arrival: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 – Check-in begins at 8AM.
(Note: With advance notice, early arrival lodging (no meals) is available for the evening of Monday, July 26. Room accommodation for that night is $40.)
Departure: Saturday, July 31, 2010 – Following the Afternoon Awards Concert & Check-Out is no later 5PM
Location: The 110-acre North Central Texas College (NCTC) in Gainesville, TX is the ideal environment for a music adventure. From I-35, take the California Street Exit (U.S. Hwy 51, exit 496B), then go west for about one mile. Look for the big white water tower with the City of Gainesville and NCTC logos. 1525 W. California Street, Gainesville, TX 76240. www.nctc.edu |
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| How do I register? |
Music enthusiasts who are 12 to 17 years old are encouraged to apply and limited exceptions outside of the age range will also be considered. Registration forms are available to download in the Forms section. Please be sure to complete each of the required forms. Registration is subject to acceptance. Students aged 12-14 or younger (i.e. exception) must be accompanied by a guardian. Guardian registration is a one-time fee, regardless of how many students a guardian represents.
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| How much does it cost to attend the Swing School? |
The Student fee of $750 includes meals, lodging, instruction, evening seminars and events, materials, and Awards Concert. A one-time family discount of $50 applies with registration of brother(s) and/or sister(s). Attendance is available only to fulltime participants.The Guardian fee of $350 includes meals, lodging and Awards Concert.Payment is by check made payable to the Bob Wills Heritage Foundation, Inc. and mailed to Bob Wills Swing School, c/o Bob Wills Heritage Foundation, Inc., PO Box 1945, Burleson, TX 76097.
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| Where and when do I check in? |
Check-in is between 8AM to 9:30AM – Tuesday, July 27 in the First State Bank Center for the Performing Arts (the big domed theatre).
10AM – Orientation – you will receive your Welcome Packet and following Orientation, will be escorted to your dorm room. 12PM – Lunch – we will meet at the cafeteria.1PM – First class begins!
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| What about lodging? |
On-campus lodging is included with registration. Bonner Hall is a two-story facility separated into a wing for boys and one for girls, each with two floors. The building accommodates 52 boys and 54 girls, double occupancy (three with a sleeping bag). Furnishings include bunk style beds, 1 desk, 1 chair, 1 dresser, 2 closets, HVAC units, sink area, medicine cabinet, and shelf storage. Roommates will be assigned according to age and gender, with priority given to preferences listed on the registration form.
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| What are the requirements for Guardians? |
An adult guardian is required to lodge in the dorm and adhere to the ‘lights out’ policy.During class times, the guardian is not required to be with his/her students at all times but is responsible for he/she/them and should be available to the student(s) if needed. If necessary to their student(s), guardians are welcome to attend class without an instrument. Activities have not been planned for the guardians; however, Gainesville is a thriving community with much to offer.
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| What about my instrument? |
Instrument lockers are available and will be assigned as registrations are received. Be sure to list on the registration form the instrument you will be bringing and/or if you need special arrangements. Piano and drums will be provided on-site. If you wish to bring a keyboard for practicing, you may keep it in your room. Put a nametag or identifying marker on your instrument case and all other valuables and bring a combination lock. Take care never to leave your instrument in a car due to the summer heat.
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| What other rules apply? |
Only registered participants may attend daily classes. Family members, friends and the general public are welcome at the evening sessions and Saturday’s Awards Concert.Throughout the Swing School, everyone is expected to exercise courtesy, good judgment, and respect for people and property. Anyone exhibiting behavior not in keeping with the best interests of the School, its mission, and the participants may be asked to leave at the sole discretion of the Executive Director.
Cell phones and all other tech items must be turned off during class. Students are encouraged to audio record their classes; however, video recording is not allowed except during the Awards Concert.
While dress is casual and shorts are allowed, provocative or distasteful clothing is not. Students must remain on campus at all times unless in the care of a Guardian or by special authorization from the Executive Director.
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| What should I bring with me to the Swing School? |
A list of What To Bring to School is provided at the end of the Information Packet which is available to view and/or download from the Forms section.
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| My child is not quite 12 years old but meets all the other requirements. Would it be possible for him/her to attend this year? |
Students who meet all the criteria but are not quite old enough or are slightly older than the 12 to 17 year-old range will be considered. Acceptance is contingent upon the submission of all completed registration forms, a letter of request supporting the reason(s) for consideration and final approval by the Swing School administration.
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| Who will be teaching? |
The Bob Wills Swing School is under the direction of bandleader and educator, Dave Alexander. Alexander is a University of North Texas graduate, former member of the UNT One-O’Clock Lab Band, and longtime music director for the Dallas Cowboys.The three time GRAMMY nominee, inductee into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame, and 2004 Academy of Western Artists Male Vocalist of the Year brings a rich combination of experience, education, talent and dedication to the Swing School.
Instructors are experienced musicians with the ability to relate to and teach students. In addition to the band sessions, sessions will be dedicated to instruments. Instructors will be assigned to those sessions according to the instrument(s) they (the instructor) are most accustomed to. Guest artists and speakers, including some of the original Texas Playboys, will provide the evening activities in addition to documentaries, videos, Bob Wills movies, discussions and jam sessions. |
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| What is the Saturday Awards Concert? |
This last activity of the five-day school will be open to the public as an opportunity for students to perform for an audience and to be recognized for their achievements. At the conclusion of the camp, one band will be formed from all the students to be distinguished as the Bob Wills All Star Band. Each member will be awarded a ‘seat’ based on the name of the Texas Playboy appropriate to the student’s instrument. The distinctions will be entitled for one year and it is expected that students will list the accomplishments on their resumes.
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| Who was Bob Wills? |
He was a visionary, fiddler, composer, bandleader and showman; a uniquely talented individual whose influence in America from 1929 through the 1960’s ignited fans across the generations and, to this day, inspires musicians around the world.
Across five decades, Bob Wills (1905-1975) fused, mastered and refined an American art form known as Western swing; labeling an immense original, historic and contemporary repertoire. His popular legacy saw a trail of gifted and dedicated musicians known as the “Texas Playboys.” His personal legacy left children, grand and great and loving fans throughout the world.
Bob Wills was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1968, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970, the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame in 1986, the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame in 1988, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Early Influence category with the Texas Playboys in 1999, the Texas Music Hall of Fame in 2000; and was honored by the Recording Academy’s National Trustees with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Sources for learning more about this American musician, composer and performer are provided in the Resource section of this website! |
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| What is Bob Wills Day and where is Turkey TX? |
On the last Saturday of April, the town of Turkey, Texas (in Hall County) welcomes visitors to “Bob Wills Day.” Turkey is the town where Bob Wills spent much of his childhood and, for nearly 40 years, “Bob Wills Day” has celebrated his life with an annual jam-packed event. The celebration draws fans and newcomers from around the world; some arriving a week or two early to enjoy spontaneous ‘jam sessions’ and visits with old and new friends. ‘Bob Wills Day’ culminates on Saturday with a parade, outdoor concert, fiddlers contest, arts and crafts vendors, barbecue lunch and a rousing swing-filled Saturday night dance. Turkey is also home to the Bob Wills Museum and the Bob Wills monument.
April 30, 2011 will mark the 40th Anniversary of Bob Wills Day and exciting changes and additions are in the works!
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| What is the Bob Wills Heritage Foundation, Inc.? |
At the 2007 GRAMMY Celebration, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented in honor of Bob Wills, and the idea of forming the Bob Wills Heritage Foundation crystallized. Relying on educational programs and preservation efforts, the Bob Wills Heritage Foundation (501c3) serves to promote the integrity of Bob Wills’ music and his place in American history; to provide an information source and repository for the Bob Wills’ community, general public, educators and historians; and to share his music and story with the world.
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| Sessions |
| Bob Wills Swing School 2010 |
| North Central Texas College (NCTC) |
| Jul 27, 2010 to Jul 31, 2010 |
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More Info |
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