Jazz in the Schools

The "We Always Swing" Jazz Series is proud to announce the newest arm of The James Williams Jazz Series Education Program – "Jazz in the Schools." The Jazz Series hopes will grow into a city-wide effort that will serve as a "feeder" of jazz education and jazz-related activities in the public schools.

The Jazz Series will place musicians in schools to work with aspiring young musicians as well as have those same younger musicians gain experience by having them perform in front of still younger student audiences. The program is being designed to involve students from K-12.

Program Overview:

The program creates a three-way collaboration between the extensive Partners in Education network and its many participants, the respective school(s) they support and the Jazz Series.
The expanded program includes a sizeable infusion of jazz-related activities into the curriculum on a schoolby-school basis, grades K-12.
The program also involves MU's School of Music Jazz Studies Program under the direction of Dr. Douglas Leibinger.

Who Benefits:

First and foremost the youngest students are exposed to jazz and older students may receive their first taste of public performance and gain experience and confidence in that manner.
The respective Partner-in-Education is not simply contributing directly to educational activities at their adopted school, but they will also receive publicity and gain exposure through the Jazz Series' print mechanisms and web site. They will also benefit from their adopted and the respective schools' marketing and promotional ability.
The Jazz Series, already active in and committed to the jazz-education field (including scholarships to aspiring student musicians), administers the program for you, thus eliminating the stress of the educator in additional prep time and curriculum writing.

Program Cost & Sponsor Benefits

One Activity ($1,500)

Listed in contributors roster in print & online w/ link to company website
Announced recognition at the time of specific programs.
Sponsor logo on Education Sponsor Page on Jazz Series website with link to Underwriter's website.
Sponsor Logo Featured in specific event-related print materials including flyers, posters and handbills.
Name recognition of sponsor in specific event-related press releases, emails and postal mailings by both the Jazz Series and the School(s) involved.
Invitations to all Jazz Series receptions and special events.
Block ticket discounts available for select Jazz Series concerts for Underwriter's/Underwriters' employees.

Two Activities ($2,500)

1/8 Page Display Ad in all scheduled concert programs.
All Benefits of the $1,500 level plus:
Four tickets (4) to one (1) concerts, subject to availability.

Three Activities ($3,000)

1/4 Display Ad in all Scheduled concert programs.
All Benefits of the $1,500 level plus:
Four tickets (4) to each of two (2) concerts, subject to availability.

Another Sponsorship Option: Become an "Initiative Patron"

(Available to all businesses including non-PIE program participants.)

The Jazz Series has also created an additional opportunity, one for larger businesses to become an "Initiative Patrons." Such supporters can be, but do not have to be officially enrolled in the Partnersin-Education Program. For instance, the city, state and even the federal government as funding agencies may serve as "Initiative Patrons." Likewise a private foundation or some other granting agency can serve as an "Initiative Patrons."

Such participants would contribute a minimum of $5,000 per academic year.
These funds would serve as an incentive and/or partial match for other Partners in Education that participate.
Such funds would be employed as "matching fashion" to be applied to multiple partners and thereby impact a greater number of schools' participation.
If a partner offered to underwrite a single program ($1,500 normally), $500 of a Super Patron's gift could be applied as a partial match; a $750 match could be applied at the two-program level; and a $1,000 could be applied at the three-program level.
1/2 Page Display ad in all scheduled concert programs and Four (4) tickets each of two (2) concerts, subject to availability.
In addition to receiving recognition at each school they help support, Super Patrons would also enjoy an array of recognition and benefits from the Jazz Series and would be considered as a sponsor. Ultimately such a gift reduces the cost to the individual school's partner(s).

What people are saying about the 'Jazz in the Schools Initiative'

"The Partners in Education program would like to express our enthusiasm and support for the Jazz Series' Jazz in the Schools' (Initiative). We are enthusiastically committed to supporting this project."
—Michelle Baumstark, Community Programs Coordinator/Columbia Public School District

"Our students were exposed to the sounds of jazz on several different occasions and always with a learning twist."
—Dr. Carol Garman, Principal, Field Elementary

"...the Jazz Series is able to administer this program (in a way that even) elementary children understand. We are proud to support the Jazz Series' 'Jazz in the Schools' Initiative."
—Steve Burch, US Bank, Regional President

For further information or assistance, please contact:
Greg Aker, Assistant Director/Education Coordinator
"We Always Swing" Jazz Series
573-449-3009 or

Jazz Series Launches Annual Fund as dollar-for-dollar match for major NEA Jazz Masters Live

This is a special year for us. As recipients of a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts – the Jazz Masters Live Initiative we are required to match the award dollar for dollar. The goal: $30,000 – and we need do reach it by February 18, 2008 – the day commissioned composer and Kansas City native Bob Brookmeyer returns to Missouri to conduct the world premier of his new work performed by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts. This season your tax-deductible donation to the Jazz Series goes twice as far.

Jazz Series Receives NEA Grant

“We Always Swing” Jazz Series snags prestigious NEA Jazz Masters Live grants…

Organization, one of only 12 presenters in the United States selected to receive $30,000 award paves the way for Missouri native and NEA Jazz Master Bob Brookmeyer to compose new work for the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. New York-based, 16-piece orchestra arrives in Columbia to perform world premiere February 18, 2009, at the Missouri Theatre with Brookmeyer as guest conductor. Also on hand: Dan Morgenstern, fellow NEA Jazz Master and Director of Rutgers Jazz Institute. The world renowned historian will serve as guest emcee and host a pair of forums: a one-on-one interview with Brookmeyer and an in-depth look into the chronology of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, which has been holding court at jazz’s most famous basement – The Village Vanguard – since 1965. Much-anticipated events serve as centerpiece for MU’s Arts & Science Week.

Are you ready to get your 2008/2009 “Swing” on?

The 2008/2009 “We Always Swing” Jazz Series has arrived and tickets are on sale NOW!

On tap: a sumptuous mix of modern jazz – small groups, large ensembles, varied instrumentation and instrumentalists, vocalists, male and female artists, special events and educational activities all rolled into our 14th season.

We think we have put together a great season, one filled with 10 regularly scheduled concerts and a trio of fun-filled special-event performances that take place in a venues small and large – from the intimacy of Murry’s and the new Ragtag Cinema to the full-size feel of the newly restored Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts and mid-sized houses such as The Blue Note and Stephens College’s Windsor Auditorium and Lela Rainey Wood Ballroom.

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