The Jazz Band and Jazz Combo performs at many community functions. They are intelligent and motivated individuals who look forward to performing in the community.
The students are incredibly self motivated students!
Several of my students have discovered their love of music on their own, and thrive in our exciting Jazz Ensemble. The jazz band has tripled in the last 2 years! We started with 8 students and now have 27 enrolled in the class. Now, with 3 full time bass students and multiple community performances a year, our old, dusty bass amp is showing its age and just can't keep up with the demand. It frequently shorts out during class rehearsals and is extremely unreliable. I don't dare move it anymore for fear that it will permanently turn off. Many of my students are on free/reduced lunch plans and rely on the equipment that the school provides.
My Project
With a new bass amp I will be able to take the Jazz Band and the Jazz Combo group out in the community! In November we are scheduled to perform at a Mayor's banquet and I would be so excited to have our own amp and not have to borrow one from a neighboring school. Every year the Jazz Band Performs 2 concerts, one in December and one in April. We also perform annually for a local retirement community's open house event to provide entertainment. The students love performing at this venue because the Community residents get up and start dancing to our music. We always play the good jazz standards like "String of Pearls", "Satin Doll", and "My Funny Valentine" to name a few.
I have several students who struggle financially.
They have to continuously fund raise to meet their "Band Fair Share" and many of them struggle to meet their share. Band in public school should be a world that a 14 or 15 year old kid shouldn't have to worry about money. For many of them, music is their escape from a tough home life. I would love to provide the students 1 opportunity where they no longer have to "worry" about whether the bass amp will turn on today or not.
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