Educational Initiative
An important mission of the JazzElPaso Connection is to contribute to the musical education and enrichment of our area’s youth, with special emphasis on jazz. Soon after forming JazzElPaso Connection in March 2007, an Educational Initiative Program was implemented which provides students opportunities to study jazz with master jazz artists as part of their regular school curriculum.
In order to pay special attention to students who demonstrate an exceptional talent in jazz, JazzElPaso Connection, in cooperation with the Ysleta Independent School District (YISD), formed the El Paso Youth Jazz Ensemble (EPYJE), an all-city high school jazz 20-piece big band under the direction of Marty Olivas. Olivas, a recording artist, jazz trumpeter and Fine Arts Instructional Specialist for YISD, selected an instructional staff consisting of other artists and educators including Ricky Malichi and Martin Huerta.
With funding from JazzElPaso's concert fund-raisers, El Paso's Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts and local sponsors, this ambitious endeavor is underway and beginning its second year.
JazzElPaso formed this Educational Initiative Program not only to ensure El Paso is a jazz community for generations but also to further these students' educations by attaining scholarships while focusing on goal-setting, developing an in-depth appreciation for the arts, participating in out-of-town band trips and performing "gigs" and concerts all of which instills pride in knowing their talents and dreams are nourished by this community.
This will be the 2nd year since this initiative formed. The first year, 2007-2008, was a tremendous success and included not only intensive rehearsals but also several improvisational workshops headed by out-of-town clinicians along with youth jazz concerts within the public school systems and in public arenas throughout the city. The season ended on a "high note" during their out-of-town band trip in Lubbock where they received a "Music Achievement Award" for an outstanding performance at the Texas Tech Jazz Festival. Moreover, of the 9 seniors graduating this summer (2008), all are pursuing music studies in college and music careers. Some are recipients of music scholarships!
On June 13-14, the youth ensemble's first jazz clinic takes place headed by San Antonio's public school Fine Arts Specialist , Roland Sandoval. Sandoval instructs from his proven effective jazz improvisation program which he presented at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention. This summer's clinic jump-starts the year and sets the tone for an exciting and busy year of jazz studies.
While Marty Olivas schedules rehearsals, upcoming youth concerts, improvisational clinics, and band trips for the new school year, JazzElPaso Connection's board and steering committees are filling their calendar with outstanding jazz concerts...some of which will feature the El Paso Youth Ensemble performing along with the professional musicians.
This year's drummer, Enrique Abram Castanos, has been selected as the in-house writer and reporter for the EPYJE. Here's what he has to say:
"This is Enrique Abram Castanos. I am very pleased to be the in-house writer for the El Paso Youth Jazz Ensemble. I am also one of the drummers for the EPYJE. What I will be doing is some short bios on some of the students within the ensemble. I will also be writing updates and news on what’s going on inside the ensemble. I am currently a senior at Del Valle High School, which is where the ensemble holds their rehearsals. I am thankful for this opportunity to take on my interest in not only music, but also my passion for writing. I am ecstatic to learn and grow from this experience.
- Enrique Abram Castanos
The Educational Initiative Program not only lays the foundation of our community’s social responsibility to preserving jazz for generations but, in addition, will promote the city as the "'International Jazz Capital on the Border' by weaving the educators, students, professional musicians, and local proprietors of restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, and city-managed arenas into a tapestry of economic and cultural enrichment.
If you would like to be a "Jazz Hero Sponsor" for this program, we offer the following tax-deductible options:
$275 will sponsor one student for the year,
$1000 sponsors a local band concert fundraiser with name recognition in the media/flyer/website,
$2000 assists an out of town youth trip and name recognition on all youth programs/website,
$3000 sponsors a Philanthropy Jazz Concert fund-raiser with name recognition on all media and website.
Clearly, we accept donations of any size to help this youth program. Simply contact us through our "Contact Us" page or call JazzElPaso at (915) 317-5503 for further details.
