JEN – Jazz Education Network – Replaces the Defunct IAJE

Earlier this summer Stanton’s Sheet Music became the first Charter Corporate member of the new Jazz Education Network. JEN came into being in the early summer after the untimely demise of the International Association for Jazz Education. We’re so excited about the networking possibilities offered by JEN. Under the leadership of jazz educator Mary Jo Papich, the organization is firmly committed to STUDENTS FIRST!

 

I’ll be attending the Midwest Band and Orchestra Conference this December in Chicago which will serve as the “coming out” event for JEN. JEN will have a booth presence as well as informational and organizational meetings.

 

In this day and age of divisive cultural and political rhetoric, jazz music and jazz education can truly serve to bring all Americans together. The spirit of improvisation and innovation, inherently common in jazz, is an American concept to which we all can relate.

 

As a sideline, Ohio has a new jazz education advocacy group called Jazz Education Connection of Ohio. JECO will be sponsoring the ever popular Ohio Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble at the 2009 OMEA Conference in Columbus, OH. Dr. Lou Fischer of Capital University will be the quest conductor this year. JECO has also joined as a Charter Institutional Member of JEN.

 

You may visit the web sites of both groups at JEN and JECO.

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Bill Moffit Passes Away

Dr. William Moffit, former marching band director for the Michigan State, the University of Houston and Purdue University died in Jacksonville, FL, on March 5th 2008, at the age of 82.  He was an exclusive arranger for the Hal Leonard Corporation’s famous “Soundpower” marching band series from the mid-1960’s to early 1980’s.  His more than 450 marching band publications sold over a million copies, and several titles are still in print.  “The Horse”

His arrangement of the Fanfare and the Star Spangled Banner sold more  than 40,000 copies and is the bestselling and most-performed version of the U.S. national Antehm.

America Sings 20th Anniversary

John Jacobson’s famous America Sings Festival will be celebrating it’s 20th anniversary in April of 2009.  John’s effort to bring together thousands of young choral musicians was just an idea 20 years ago, but now after all of the years, he can enjoy his success.  John says “twenty years ago, when we first decided to spend our time facilitating America Sings!, we simply wanted to have a non-competitive choral festival that would celebrate people’s love for music and music education.  However, we quickly became aware of the fact that artists are the biggest givers on the planet!  They always seem to have a desire to do more, to change the world, to make things better”.  John mentions that people are labeling today’s young people as being a part of the unflattering “Me Generation”.  But this has not been my America Sings! experience.  Instead I have see tens of thousands of young singers come together to make music and, once there, give selflessly of themselves to make someone else’s life a little bit better.  And many are doing the same in their hometowns!

Choir Festival Regitration includes participation in the Massed-Choir Finale Celebraton and in community service projects held on the Washington Mall.  Registered choirs with a minimum of 10 participants are eligible to perform an individual 20-minute choral performance on a stage at the festival as space is available.  The 2009 event will happen April 17 -18.  See complete registration details at http://americasings.org

New Releases from Hal Leonard Publishing

Here are the latest new releases from Hal Leonard. Check out the item descriptions and head on down to Stanton’s Sheet Music to order, or just give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC to speak to one of our talented sales representatives for more information or to place an order.

Whether you’re a karoake singer or preparing for an audition, the Pro Vocal series is for you! The book contains the lyrics, melody & chord symbols, and the CD features demos for listening and separate backing tracks so you can sing along. The CD is playable on any CD player, but also enhanced so PC & Mac users can adjust the recording to any pitch without changing the tempo! Perfect for home rehearsal, parties, auditions, corporate events, and gigs without a backup band. This volume includes 8 songs from the show: I’ll Cover You • Light My Candle • One Song Glory • Out Tonight • Rent • Seasons of Love • What You Own • Without You. 00740407