Dillard Jazz Band invited to perform at International Band Conference
Submitted by Karen Dorsey
The recognition, accolades and invitations continue for the award-winning Dillard Center for the Arts Jazz Ensemble.
On the heels of winning their 2nd national title at the 2012 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition, Dillard Jazz has been extended a personal invitation by Wynton Marsalis to perform as his demonstration band at the prestigious Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference. Marsalis is the world renowned artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and will be a keynote speaker at the conference in Chicago December 19-22, 2012.
For the Dillard Center for the Arts, it is a unique opportunity to perform among legends in the educational and professional worlds.
However, the young performers now face perhaps their biggest challenge: raising the $24,000 needed to make the Chicago trip a possibility for the 26 students in the jazz ensemble.
This year’s clinic not only features Marsalis but also internationally acclaimed American conductor Leonard Slatkin. This important event gathers instrumental music educators, students, composers and conductors from all 50 states and more than 30 nations.
“It’s a great honor for our band to be chosen to perform at the Midwest Clinic,” said Dillard Jazz Musical Director Christopher Dorsey. “I know band directors who have spent their whole lives trying to get their bands to Midwest, so being invited to perform is an amazing opportunity. I sure hope our kids get to go.”
This is a call to South Florida to help these children reach their fullest potential. Dillard Jazz welcomes those who are interested in underwriting this trip to contact Karen Dorsey at (954) 214-0320 or info@dcajazz.com
