NIU jazz department directors and both middle and high school music directors will come together this weekend to perfect their rhythm.

The directors are set to learn jazz techniques over the course of the three-day event with a focus on the rhythm section, which includes drums, bass, piano and guitar.

“It’s national exposure to the university,” said Ron Carter, director of jazz studies at NIU.

The course allows present-day music instructors to fine tune their rhythm skill and then take what they have learned back to their students.

“These instructors are interested in trying to learn at a much higher level,” Carter said.

The renown NIU jazz department has had graduates go on to play throughout the United States and around the globe.

Carter will be accompanied by professors from the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, and Michigan State University.

“I’ve known Rodney Whitaker from MSU for over 15 years and Reginald Thomas from SIU was a former student of mine,” Carter said.

After teaching at NIU for the weekend, Carter and company will travel to New York City and teach improvisation to educators at the Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The New York session will focus around the transcription process, listening sessions and how to teach in a big band setting.

“It’s the first time we’ve done something of this type in New York,” Carter said.

The Jazz at Lincoln Center is the largest non-profit organization for jazz studies in the world and was recently renovated.