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TC Rotary Jazz YouthFest, 9-noon; 1-3:00pm
9:00am to 3:30pm
Tickets:
The Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary Youthfest, an invitational jazz event where regional youth jazz bands, stage bands and jazz ensembles have a chance to perform in front of respected adjudicators. It is the newest addition to the Georgian Sound Festival. Youthfest takes place at the Beaver Valley Community Centre in Thornbury on Friday April 23, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
The idea has proven to be so popular among the region's high schools that nine different bands agreed to play within days of the invitations being issued. Schools from Midland, Penetanguishene, Port Elgin, Meaford, Collingwood and Owen Sound will be represented.
The Rotary Youthfest arises from T-C Rotary's and the Georgian Sound Big Band's similar mandates to foster and develop activities at which our future Festival musicians can excel. In this adjudicated environment, Secondary School bands and jazz groups from communities in the region can share their musical proficiency with teachers and students from other schools, learn from each other and benefit from the expertise of prominent educators and professional musicians.
The Performers
Penetanguishene Secondary School Jazz Band Midland Secondary School Senior Jazz band CCI Collingwood Collegiate: Senior jazz Ensemble Intermediate Jazz Ensemble Junior jazz Ensemble Pretty River Academy Jazz Ensemble West Hill Secondary School Jazz Band (Owen Sound) Saugeen District Secondary School Jazz Combo 1 and Jazz Combo 2
The Adjudicators
The adjudication team will be headed by veteran jazz musician and award winning music educator Michael Grace. Holder of four Masters Degrees in drums, bassoon, clarinet and bass and a PhD in Clarinet, Mr. Grace taught for 7 years at the university level before spending the next 28 years at Ann Arbor Michigan's Community High School where he directed the school's advanced music program. Bands in this program traveled the world to perform. Mike Grace splits his time in retirement between Ann Arbor and Southampton Ontario.
Joining Mike as adjudicators will be John McLelland, Steven James and Gene Parker.
John McLelland recently retired after a 30 year career as a Secondary School Music Specialist, the last 19 years at Bluevale Collegiate in Waterloo Ontario. His jazz ensembles were recipients of numerous Gold Standard Awards at MusicFest Canada as well as Awards of Distinction at the Stratford Music Festival and recognition by The Ontario Provincial Music Festival Association. He received The Stewart Award for teaching excellence in 2007.
As a performer, John has performed with many of Canada's top jazz musicians including Phil Nimmons, Rob McConnell, and Peter Appleyard. His Phoenix Jazz Group's debut CD release "Extensions" is currently enjoying a 10 month run on Jazz FM 91.1 in Toronto.
Hamiltonian Steve James has been playing drums since he was 6 years of age. His ability to play many styles of music is exemplified by his current involvement with the group Backroom 11, a tribute band to classic soul/funk and R+B. He has played with the Stardust Big Band for 18 years and has been the drum instructor for the Southampton summer jazz program for 12 years. Steve is currently teaching a brand new music program in Hamilton and teaches drums privately on the side.
Gene Parker is a professional jazz musician who has played with many of the biggest names in the business; names like Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., J.C Heard and Dizzy Gillespie. Based in Toledo Ohio, he has also taught at both the high school and university levels and carried a large private tuition load for more than 40 years. He both plays and teaches saxophone, clarinet, flute, vibraphone, bass, piano, electronic keyboards, Latin percussion (congas and toys) and MIDI instruments. When not teaching, this musician extraordinaire leads a Vibe Trio, a Jazz Quartet that is part of The Arts in Education program for the Toledo Public Schools, The Parker/Cook Jazz Quintet, The Parker/Wolkins Big Band with trumpeter Ric Wolkins, and a very hot 5 piece Party Band. The Chantry Island Quartet & Jazz Trio Concert
Following the adjudicated performances, The Chantry Island Quartet, lead by Mike Grace on bass and comprised of fellow adjudicators John McLelland on piano, Steven James playing drums and Meryl Gillmore, principal flute with the Georgian Bay Symphony, will perform three movements from French jazz legend Claude Bolling's Suite #2 for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio.
Following the Quartet's performance the Jazz Trio comprised of Mike, John and Steven will be joined by guest artist Gene Parker for a programme of other jazz favourites.
Admission
Admission to the Rotary Jazz Youthfest for the public, friends and family of student performers is just $2 at the door (maximum $10 per family) during the adjudicated performance. Admission to the Chantry Island Quartet and Jazz Trio concert is $10 per person; no charge for students and directors.
T-C Rotary Jazz YouthFest - Concert 3:30 pm
3:30pm to 4:30pm
Tickets: Adult - $10.00
T-C Rotary Jazz Youthfest! The Chantry Island Quartet & Jazz Trio Concert
Following the adjudicated performances, The Chantry Island Quartet, lead by Mike Grace on bass and comprised of fellow adjudicators John McLellan on piano, Steven James playing drums and Meryl Gillmore, principal flute with the Georgian Bay Symphony, will perform three movements from French jazz legend Claude Bollings Suite #2 for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio.
Following the Quartets performance the Jazz Trio comprised of Mike, John and Steven will be joined by guest artist Gene Parker for a programme of other jazz favourites.
Admission to the Chantry Island Quartet and Jazz Trio concert is $10 per person; no charge for students and directors.
Tickets can be ordered online or call the Hotline 519-599-3223.
