<div>Dear YJED Families and Friends

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<div>Our Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage (YJED) was selected as one of only 30 high school bands worldwide (out of 125+ bands that auditioned) to be invited to participate in the 30th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition &amp; Festival in New York City (May 7-11, 2025). YJED, selected for the second year in a row, remains the only Chicago-area high school jazz band to be invited since 2015.

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<div><strong>About the Festival</strong>: Essentially Ellington is considered the most prestigious high school jazz festival in North America. Sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center, the 30 invited bands spend 5 days immersed in workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals, and performances at the “House of Swing,” Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center under the oversight of Musical Director Wynton Marsalis and mentorship of the world-class musicians in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

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<div><strong>About YJED</strong>: The Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage rehearses in Wheaton, but draws its members by audition from around the Chicago area. Celebrating its 26th year since its founding by current director Robert Blazek, YJED members have come from over 40 Chicago area high schools. A 501(c) organization, it exists to provide these musicians the opportunity to perform high-level jazz music literature in concert and in an annual studio recording.

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<div><strong>Our challenge</strong>: Bringing a big band of 25 musicians plus chaperones to New York City for 6 days is expensive, a challenge all invited big bands face. YJED however faces some additional challenges:

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<li> Most invited high school jazz bands are part of a single high schools’ music department. That means that the school district and the school itself funds much of the costs associated with the jazz band (director, rehearsal space rental, music purchase, etc.). Many districts fund a significant portion of the costs associated with an honor like an Essentially Ellington invitation.

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<li>Additionally, many of these schools are wholly or primarily in a specific city, and receive additional funding from the local governmental unit.

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<li>YJED, with its members drawn from 14 different high schools and probably a similar number of municipalities, can’t count on these options.

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<div><strong>What the YJED band is doing:</strong>

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<li>For starters, band members and their families are currently putting down $500 each (that’s $12,500 in total) for immediate costs (plane tickets, hotel deposits). We’re working through the amounts for the next payments from band members and their families.

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<li>The band is deep into applying for a number of grants to raise additional funding. Unfortunately, there are a limited number of grantors for whom this is a good fit to their existing programs.

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<li>In the few days since the announcement, we have begun to plan some other fundraising programs involving the band and friends of the band. More to come...

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<div><strong>That leaves a gap of about $15,000:</strong>

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<li>Based on last year's Essentially Ellington experience, we expect a cost of about $60,000. That number has been confirmed as we have received quotes for travel, lodging, meals, etc. Bringing a big band to NYC is indeed expensive.

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<li>Our initial planning looks to cover around $45,000 so far from other sources. This leaves $15,000 to be funded through GoFundMe contributions.

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<div><strong>Why it’s important:</strong>

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<li>The impact of YJED goes beyond just the 25 musicians involved. Over the years, over 40 Chicago area high schools have benefited as YJED musicians go back to their high schools bringing the impact that playing with other top high school musicians has had on them. Many high school directors tell us that YJED makes a difference in their programs.

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<li>The Essentially Ellington program has been a launching pad for many current Chicago-area educators. This is the 4th  Essentially Ellington festival YJED has participated in. Many of the alumni on these earlier trips attribute the Essentially Ellington festival to their decision to become music educators, and develop the next generation of students.

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<li>We want to make sure that every member of YJED is able to go and to fully benefit from this unique and special experience.

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<li>As a 501(c), your contribution is tax deductible

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<div>We hope you will join us on this journey through your contribution.

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<div>Sincerely

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<div>The Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage Members

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<div>Robert Blazek, Founder and Director

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Vicki Rohe

Anonymous

John Mahal

Benjamin Conforte

Matthew Haak

Evan Borkowski

Lisa Cohen

Karl Gieseke

David Schumacher

Rick Gilmore

Linda Gilmore

ninushka gamboa

robert stassen

Jon Kosinsky

Darlene Yoder

Diane Weaver-Cochuyt

Aidan Klapperich

Christine Castro

Anonymous Anonymous

Help YJED perform @ NYC 2025 Essentially Ellington Festival

Help YJED perform @ NYC 2025 Essentially Ellington Festival

Still $1,239 to go. Help us build momentum.