CHS Jazz Ensemble Travel Expenses

The Champaign Central (IL) High School Jazz Ensemble has been accepted to two prestigious jazz festival competitions this spring and we need your help to get there!  Led by Mr. John Currey, Jazz Ensemble was selected from hundreds of high school jazz bands across the country to participate in these events.

Swing Central Jazz (Savannah GA) “is a three-day workshop and competition with a collective approach to big band jazz instruction. Led by pianist/composer/educator Marcus Roberts, the clinician team includes a wide range of jazz educators such as Wycliffe Gordon, Jason Marsalis, Jim Ketch (Associate Director), Rodney Whitaker and Ron Westray.”  Swing Central Jazz 2017 will take place from March 29 – 31, 2017.  Central High School Jazz Ensemble is one of just twelve bands selected to participate.
 
Essentially Ellington (New York City)  “The annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival is one of the most innovative jazz education events in the world. Each year, high school musicians from across North America travel to New York City to spend three days immersed in workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals and performances at the “House of Swing,” Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.”  CHS Jazz Ensemble is one of fifteen bands from across the country selected to perform. Essentially Ellington Festival will be May 11-13, 2017.

Travel and hotel costs are significant: about $2,000 per band member.  Please help these hard-working students participate in once-in-a-lifetime experiences!  Your donation to the Central Music Boosters is tax deductible and will be applied toward the total band expenses for these two trips.