Inside the Section: The Little Big Band Residency

Mentorship & Performance with Bryson Borgstedt

This is not a classroom. This is the bandstand. For six weeks, you are invited to step inside the inner workings of a high-caliber ensemble. Inside the Section is a professional-grade residency designed for musicians who want to stop "playing at" jazz and start living it. Led by the legendary Bryson Borgstedt, this is a hands-on, true reading band that focuses on the fine art of ensemble playing, stylistic nuance, and professional-level sight reading.

The "Side-by-Side" Experience

The greatest lessons in jazz aren't found in books—they are caught in the air between musicians. Sitting in this ensemble means "rubbing shoulders" with one of the Southeast’s greatest jazz assets. Bryson brings 45 years of professional performance and 40 years of teaching to every session, instructing with a rare combination of patience, kindness, and deep-seated authority.

This residency will concentrate on:

Ensemble Skills: Learning how to breathe, phrase, and swing as one unit.
The "Double" Life: Mastering the specific demands of woodwind doubling.
Sight Reading: Developing the "first-take" confidence required in the professional circuit.
Theory in Action: A deeper understanding of forms, improvisation, and harmonic structure.

Claim Your Chair (Strictly Limited Instrumentation)

We are filling a specific "Little Big Band" book. Because every part is essential to the collective sound, commitment to attendance is required. *

Woodwinds: Alto (w/ Soprano & Flute), Tenor (w/ Clarinet), Baritone (w/ Bass Clarinet), Flute.
Brass: Lead Trumpet (w/ Flugel), Jazz Trumpet (w/ Flugel), Trombone.
Rhythm Section: Guitar, Bass, Drums.

Investment in Excellence

A single private session with a musician of Bryson’s stature typically costs $100+. This 12-hour residency provides over $1,200 in professional-grade mentorship for an unbeatable value:

General Tuition: $245 ($20/hour to train with a master)
ColaJazz Member Rate: $195 (Save $50 immediately by joining today!)
ColaJazz Student Rate: $145 Inquire here.
Student/Scholarship: Financial assistance is available through the Eboni Ramm Music Scholarship Fund, supported by the SLW Charitable Fund. Inquire here.

The Professional Edge:
For members, this is just $16/hour to train with a master. It is the single best investment you will make in your playing this year.

Logistics & Requirements

When: Mondays, Feb 9 – March 16 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Finale: The term culminates in a Live Performance.
Hospitality: Basic waters and coffee are provided freely to keep the session sharp.
Who: Intermediate level or above. Must read music and have control over your instrument. Ideal for gigging professionals, college students, and dedicated community players. (Not for beginners).

Meet Your Mentor: Bryson Borgstedt

Bryson Borgstedt’s resume is a roadmap of American music. From his tenure with the USMA Jazz Knights at West Point to performing with icons like Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, and The Manhattan Transfer, Bryson has spent decades at the highest level of the industry. Having served as Director of Jazz at Claflin University and faculty at Presbyterian College and the University of South Carolina, he remains committed to the art of teaching, bringing a wealth of knowledge to every rehearsal.

Performance Highlights:

Josh Groban • Nancy Wilson • Wycliffe Gordon • The SC Philharmonic • The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra • Broadway Production of Chicago • And dozens more.

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