Berks Jazz Fest hitting the highway with getJazzed academic applications

Jan. 22—Jazz, America’s classical music, was born and nonetheless thrives in golf equipment and on entrance porches and different casual scenes. So, it’s important for college kids getting into the world of jazz to have alternatives to study in jams, the place skilled and youthful musicians play collectively. That’s the reason Berks Arts is dedicated to offering such alternatives, not solely throughout Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, however at different occasions of the yr.

Constructing on the success of final yr’s “getJazzed Jams on the Street” on the Settlement Music Faculty in Philadelphia, Berks Arts has deliberate three days of collaborative jazz workshops and jams for college kids at Settlement’s Mary Louise Curtis Department, the Neighborhood Music Faculty in Trappe, and the Neighborhood Music Faculty Lehigh Valley & Berks in Allentown throughout February.

GetJazzed is the tutorial element of the annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, aimed toward serving to to develop the subsequent technology of jazz musicians and audiences. It’s a part of Berks Arts’ mission to advertise arts schooling, and the Berks Jazz Fest presents an ideal alternative for college kids to work together with skilled musicians, each in workshops and in jams by which the scholars and professionals play and improvise collectively.

Starting in 2022, Berks Arts determined to present the identical alternatives to college students in neighboring communities.

“Sixty musicians attended the workshop and jam at Settlement, and had a terrific expertise,” stated Berks Arts government director Justin Heimbecker.

This yr, as much as 50 college students ages 12 to 18 can register to attend three separate occasions in Trappe on Feb. 4, in Philadelphia on Feb. 5, and in Allentown on Feb. 11. Every occasion will embrace a workshop performed by skilled and college clinicians, and a jam session by college students and clinicians that will likely be open to the general public. These occasions are freed from cost for Berks County college students and college students of every music college. Others can attend for a $20 price.

Karin Orinstein, dean of the Settlement Music Faculty, commented that “we’re thrilled to accomplice with Berks Arts and Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest for what we all know will likely be one other inspiring and memorable occasion for younger musicians from throughout our area. We will not wait to look at the creativity unfold on our stage in a number of brief weeks.”

Collaborating school members from Settlement will likely be guitarist Alan Ens, vibe grasp Tony Miceli and pianist Scott Edmunds.

Matthew Wright-Conti, government director of Neighborhood Music Faculty in Trappe, stated: “We’re ecstatic to accomplice with Berks Jazz Fest to supply this distinctive alternative to the scholars at Neighborhood Music Faculty. Our mission is to complement lives and communities by providing wonderful music schooling, performances, and cultural experiences. The getJazzed program is affording us one other alternative to assist us additional that mission affect. It’s uncommon that college students have the chance to take the stage aspect by aspect with skilled musicians, and this expertise will you should definitely make an enduring impression on their enjoying.”

Trappe school members Alan Dynin, piano; Bob Schwanger, saxophonist, clarinet, flute; and Ryan Leaver, multi-instrumentalist, composer; will take part as a clinician.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Berks Arts to carry this ‘getJazzed Jam on the Street’ to Allentown,” stated Neighborhood Music Faculty Lehigh Valley & Berks Government Director Jeff Reed. “Three CMS school members will help Berks Jazz Fest artists with the workshops and jam session: Dr. Andrew O’Connor (bass guitar & double bass), Griffin Woodard (piano & bass clarinet), and Daniel Gonzalez (drums). The inspiring art-deco vibe of the Dorothy H. Baker Recital Corridor at CMS is the right backdrop for a day of jazz. We encourage all younger musicians who love jazz, and people who aren’t certain whether or not they love jazz to make the most of this nice alternative to study hands-on from skilled musicians, proper right here in downtown Allentown.”

Further Berks Jazz Fest clinicians for the occasions will embrace:

—Matt Cappy, a trumpeter, composer, arranger, recording artist and touring musician who launched his debut album, “Church and State,” in 2017.

—Kevin MacConnell, a bassist who has carried out with classical and Broadway orchestras in addition to jazz festivals and golf equipment, and excursions often with the DePue Brothers Band.

—Rob Stoneback, a trombonist, composer and arranger who has led the Rob Stoneback Large Band since 1979, which performs all through the Mid-Atlantic area, together with at Lincoln Middle.

—Andrew Neu, a well known sax and wind participant, composer, arranger, band chief, recording artist and educator who has carried out as a part of Berks Jazz Fest and getJazzed occasions in previous years.

—Maria Marmarou, a drummer initially from Kutztown, is a GetJazzed alumna who lately accomplished her bachelor’s diploma in music from Temple College. She is at present constructing her profession, gigging within the Philadelphia space, and planning to begin her grasp’s diploma.

The registration deadline is about for one week prior to every occasion and house is restricted.

For full info on getJazzed Jams on the Street, and to register for the occasions, go to https://www.getjazzedberks.com/get-jazzed-on-the-road.