Butler Youth Jazz Program
Butler Youth Jazz Program
Split into combos (small groups of three to seven players), participants improvise, musically interact, and play small-group jazz arrangements throughout the program. Butler University jazz faculty and professional musicians lead this program. It’s a great opportunity to level up as a jazz student and meet new folks doing the same. The class is designed for you to have fun while developing your skills in a relaxed environment that supports your learning and growth.
The class culminates in a community-based performance. At least one year of study on your instrument is required to participate, and a placement audition will determine how the groups are formed. You’ll need to provide your own instrument, unless you play piano or drum set—we’ve got you covered there.
This program is for ages 12–18.
Rehearsals (on Sundays, 3:00 PM–5:00 PM):
- October 4
- October 11
- October 18
- October 25
- November 1
Performance:
- November 8 at 2:00 PM at Eidson Duckwall Recital Hall (on Butler’s campus)
One prior year of experience on your instrument is required. A placement audition is required with your registration. This audition does not determine your entry into the program; rather, it will help form combo groups based on experience levels.
Email your audition video to the instructor, Kent Hickey, via kahicke1@butler.edu
- Prepared Jazz Piece: Choose and perform a jazz piece of your own selection.
- Guitar and Piano: Your prepared piece should include examples of comping (accompanying) within the performance.
- Bass: Your prepared piece should include prominent bass lines that showcase your playing.
- Scales (for all instruments except drummers): Prepare and play four scales of your choice, which can include major, chromatic, mixolydian, etc.
- Improvisation: Play an improvisation over a 12-bar Bb blues progression.
- Drummers: Demonstrate your skills with 16 bars each of three different styles:
- Medium swing
- Latin/Bossa Nova
- Rock/Funk
Total Cost: $275
Deposit: A non-refundable $25 deposit is required at checkout. This deposit is applied toward your total tuition.
Remaining Balance: The remaining $250 is due one week before the program starts.
- Send all cancellation requests to bcas@butler.edu
- Department Cancellation: If the department cancels a class session, you will receive a full refund.
- 15+ Days Before Class Start: Full refund minus the $25 deposit.
- 8–14 Days Before Class: 50% refund of the amount paid, minus the $25 deposit.
- Fewer Than 7 Days Before Class: No refunds will be issued.
- Class sessions are not prorated for vacation, illness, or missed days.
Register by October 1, 2026.
Kent Hickey is the instructor of BYJP!
Kent Hickey is an in-demand trumpet player and educator based in Indianapolis, IN. He is currently on faculty at both Butler University and the University of Indianapolis as Adjunct Professor of Jazz Trumpet where he teaches applied lessons and jazz combo. In addition to his university teaching responsibilities, Kent also serves as the Outreach Liaison for the Butler Youth Jazz Program, a component of the Butler Community Arts School. Professionally, Kent freelances in and around Indianapolis and leads two groups of his own, the Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective and the Kent Hickey Trio. His groups have performed at renowned local and regional venues like the Chatterbox, Merriman’s Playhouse, Blockhouse Bar, Fulton Street Collective (Chicago), Blu Jazz+ (Akron), and the world-famous Jazz Kitchen. Less recently, Kent played trumpet on Royal Caribbean cruise ships the Summers of 2018 and 2019. Future aspirations include additional teaching at the university level, continuing to freelance professionally, and releasing recordings of original compositions and arrangements.
Brian Pattison is a versatile and dependable trombonist, composer, and educator who is fluent in many diverse styles of music. He has shared the stage with artists such as Christian McBride, Rebirth Brass Band, Kenny Loggins, Melissa Etheridge, and has had the honor of studying with great teachers like Jim Pugh, Steve Davis, Jiggs Whigham, and Rick Stout. In Indianapolis, Brian has performed with a variety of ensembles, including the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective, Dan Nix Big Band, Tom Johnson Jazz Orchestra, and the Naptown Trombone Collective, which he co-founded with fellow Indy-based trombonist Richard Dole. Brian’s original compositions and arrangements can be found in the libraries of numerous ensembles across the Midwest, including the Naptown Trombone Collective, Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective, and the University of Illinois Jazz Trombone Ensemble and Concert Jazz Band.
Tommy Neidecker is currently a band director at Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center, serving the school since 2020. Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Mr. Neidecker studied music education and jazz studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music before teaching in Wayne Township. In addition to teaching, Tommy is an in-demand classical and jazz trombonist. In 2019, Tommy was also selected as a member of the Disneyland All-American College Band, performing for guests at Disneyland every day. His other notable performance experience includes the Crossroads Brass Band, Southern Indiana Wind Ensemble, and as trombonist for Chicago-based rapper Big Bill. He frequently performs at venues in and around Indianapolis, notable inclusions being the Palladium and the Jazz Kitchen.
Tommy is this semester’s Lead Teacher!