If you haven’t heard about the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild, you’re missing a lot! A major goal of the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild is to ensure this great American music called ‘jazz’ is passed to the next generation – and who doesn’t love jazz?
Through weekly ensemble workshops, students are introduced to the creative world of jazz. By working in an actual jazz ensemble, students increase their musical knowledge and their ability to improvise. The Richmond Youth Jazz Guild is a member of the Berklee City Music Network, a national consortium of community music organizations. This nonprofit initiative harnesses the energy of contemporary music to provide music education to 4th-12th graders in under-served communities.
The Richmond Youth Jazz Guild is a Pre-Professional Music Training Program and a Berklee City Music Network Site , the only music program in the Richmond area with this distinction.
Through the works of the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild, five (5) Richmond students have received college scholarship from Berklee College of Music.
- Recently four (4) of their students, Drew Anderson (15, Trumpet), Ayinde Williams (15, Piano), Morgan Burrs (16, Guitar) and Brandon Bowser (16, Saxophone) received full scholarships to attend the Berklee College of Music 5 Week Summer Performance program in Boston, MA this July, 2013.
- Former student, Myrish Spell (20) by completion of the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild program, was granted full scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music as a student.
- To date, students have been awarded, $186,000 in college scholarships through their participation and training at the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild.
They are currently conducting enrollment for the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild and summer camp. This summer is a great time to explore jazz and all they have to offer.
Congratulations to these outstanding students who have been recognized for their abilities, talent, and love for music tradition!
