Education
Friday Opening Double Set
This year the festival will open with a very special double session featuring John Royen of New Orleans. John is a well-known jazz pianist and historian as well as the leader of Capt. John Royen’s New Orleans Rhythm. John will be discussing and demonstrating “The Evolution of Jazz from Ragtime and Other Sources.” Should be both interesting and entertaining!
Performing in the second half of this opening double session will be the Student Clinic Friday Band and the Clinic Faculty Band. This special expanded set is free and open to the public. It all gets underway at noon on Friday, July 28 in the Evergreen Elks Ballroom
Student Clinic
One of the highlights of the Education Program is the Student Clinic, held on Thursday of Festival Week. This annual event provides the next generation of
Bix and Satch the opportunity to immerse themselves in a day of professional instruction on virtually every instrument, vocal and ensemble work.
The instructors are either appearing in the 2023 Festival or have appeared in previous Festivals and have been chosen for their love of traditional jazz and their desire to pass that love and their knowledge on to future generations. The clinic will be Thursday July 27, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM at Evergreen Christian Church, one of the Festival venues. The $50 tuition includes lunch and participants will receive a full 3-day Festival pass. Financial aid is available. Question? Call 303-674-0641 (if no answer, please leave a message).
For Student Clinic details and registration, click here.
Or call 303-674-0641.
Year-Round Education Program
Jazz In Schools
The Festival Mission Statement includes the words: “Promote jazz music and live performances with educational programs for both listeners and young performers.” Each year the Education Committee works to satisfy this mission, with special attention given to building interest among young people and helping student musicians.
Included in the range of programs and activities over the years have been concerts at many area middle schools and high schools, most notably a series featuring the Denver Jazz Club Youth All-Stars, giving us young people performing for younger people. On many occasions the students have performed with the instructors, providing a special learning experience and great fun for all.
In addition, there have been many instructional events providing student musicians with the opportunity to learn from established professionals, including many members of the Queen City Jazz Band. These sessions have taken the form of workshops and “Combo Days” at Evergreen High School and several area middle and elementary schools.
One special highlight was a series of visits to Deer Creek Elementary School where members of the Education Committee met with three classes of fourth graders and introduced them to six different instruments. When those students moved on to fifth grade, they formed a band and gave a jazz concert, complete with costumes! This
“instruments introduction” has since been taken to several other elementary schools and is now a regular feature of the education program.
Be an Education Sponsor!
Any donation to the Festival Education Program is gratefully welcomed and provides an opportunity for benefactors to designate how they want their contributions used.
For sponsorship details, click here.
Student Clinics featuring professional instruction are an annual highlight of the Festival Education Program.
Student Clinics provide both individual instrument and ensemble instruction.