WHAT TO EXPECT
The Valley Jazz Cooperative’s 10th Anniversary Season concludes with a Summer Celebration from the VJC Alumni Band. Now a much-anticipated highlight on the VJC calendar, the Alumni Band will perform in Ravenscroft Hall under the direction of Russell Schmidt.
Again this year, due to ever-growing interest from program alums, our Summer Celebration will actually feature two different big bands. The Chillumni Band performs on the first half; the Thrillumni Band is showcased following intermission. Previous Alumni Band events have included music from composers and arrangers such as Bob Brookmeyer, Duke Ellington, Jhoely Garay, Bill Holman, Thad Jones, Gerry Mulligan, Maria Schneider, Jueun Seok, Billy Strayhorn, and Tom Wolfe. Expect an exciting and wide-ranging program this time around, too!
ABOUT THE VJC
The Valley Jazz Cooperative was founded in 2016 as an educational outreach of MSW Ministries. Through its various performing ensembles, supported by guest artist clinics and instructional workshops, the VJC creates a nurturing environment for individuals to explore and develop their potential as creative beings through the medium of jazz and the art of improvisation. The program is offered free of charge to eligible, committed, passionate music students (grades 8-12). Learn more at ValleyJazz.org
Our VJC Alumni groups feature talented, young musicians who participated in the Valley Jazz Cooperative during their high school years. These exceptionally gifted alumni reconnect each May and June, making time to create music together once more. This year marks the fifth summer of VJC Alumni Band activities.
