IF YOU LOVE JAZZ…PLEASE HELP US KEEP IT ALIVE!
January 21st, 2010In his opening address to the 1964 Berlin Jazz Festival, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said that “Jazz speaks for life… it takes the hardest realities of life and puts them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph. It has strengthened us with its sweet rhythms when courage began to fail. It has calmed us with its rich harmonies when spirits were down. And now, Jazz is exported to the world. This is triumphant music.”
How Do You Test The Worthiness Of A Vision?
Not in times of comfort and abundance; when things are good. The test of a vision comes in the tough times. In many ways, this is a time of trial for Sedona Jazz on the Rocks as we tackle the thorny issues of an economic crisis. Yet, we are confident that we will pull through.
Sedona Jazz on the Rocks plays an unique role in fostering Jazz as a cultural art form. A look at the impact of our mission, “to preserve jazz for future generations through education and performance programs,” encourages us to forge ahead and inspires us to evolve and grow.
Since its inception, Sedona Jazz on the Rocks has placed its primary focus on creating, developing and financing innovative educational programs for Arizona’s talented young musicians. On average, our music training programs provide quality jazz education to thousands of young students each year.
We need only recall the kids we have supported throughout our 28 years, their hopes and dreams about how their lives are supposed to work. They come to us with varying levels of talent, ability and enthusiasm, and what they accomplish as a result of our programs compels us to remain steadfast in our commitment.
Did you know that Jazz is America’s indigenous art form?
We strive to broaden public awareness of the artistic, historical and cultural contributions that Jazz has made to the American music landscape. It is a cherished part of our heritage that must be sustained, as it is relished.
Did you know that Jazz on the Rocks earned the Governor’s Tourism Award?
Our Festival started modestly in 1981, but in the years since we have brought many world-renowned jazz artists to Sedona, and have earned national and international recognition through our annual jazz festival.
We are driven to continue this tradition of excellence in Jazz education and performance. We are energized by the growing number of young people who are interested in and excited about Jazz, even as funding for music programs in our nation’s schools continues to diminish.
We’re digging in deep to ensure that we can provide supplemental programs and activities to keep Jazz alive for these students. We have been aggressive about cutting costs every where we can, and we’re working hard to raise more money from donors. We are committed to finding a way to support our scholarship winners and our Youth Band.
I’ve been reminded that at present “it’s tough for everybody”. Of course that’s true, but it’s a lot tougher for some than others. We must not forget that there are families whose incomes are so minimal that they are barely able to provide the basics for their children. Our worst-case scenario is that when deserving students look to us for help, we would have to turn them away for lack of resources to meet their needs.
I hope you will agree that ours is a vision worthy of triumph. If you are in a position to help or are interested in knowing more about our programs, please call us at (928) 282-1985, or visit our website at http://www.sedonajazz.com/subjects/support/make-a-donation.htm.
By: Bettye Wilson
President, Sedona Jazz on the Rocks
It’s too bad more people don’t know about this place, this article had exactly what I needed this morning!!!