Hey NOLA, we didn't forget you!

Last week I was in Chicago for the 61st Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.


The Midwest Clinic exists for educational purposes exclusively; to raise the standards of music education; to develop new teaching techniques; to disseminate to school music teachers, directors and supervisors and others interested in music education, information to assist in their professional work; to examine, analyze and appraise literature dealing with music; to hold clinics, lectures and demonstrations for the betterment of music education; and in general to assist teachers and others interested in music education in better pursuing their profession.


By The Numbers:

Annual attendance is 13,000

350 Exhibitors

560 Booths

40 Concerts

100 Clinics

All 50 states represented with more than 30 other countries represented


One of the most impressive bands performing in concert last week was the New Trier High School Jazz Ensemble I and Jazz Guitar Ensemble from Winnetka, Illinois. The Midwest web site has several video highlights of their concert online at http://www.midwestclinic.org/videos/band_archive.asp

I would like to point out a special project that the band is currently conducting. Please check out the links to the bands web site to see how you can help.

About The Project:

The New Trier High School Jazz Ensemble program is committed to helping the students and professional musicians of New Orleans in a year-long project called "Hey NOLA, we didn't forget you!" The ensemble will be collecting playable used instruments for Tipitina's Foundation (http://tipitinasfoundation.org/) hand-delivering all donations to New Orleans during New Trier's Spring Break. While in the Crescent City, the jazz ensemble will perform a free concert at a local high school as well as concerts for local residents and volunteer workers from around the world. Finally, the ensemble will build a new home in or near Habitat for Humanity's "Musicians' Village," a housing project for professional musicians, so that those who lost their homes and were displaced by Hurricane Katrina can return to NOLA to continue to make music.

The students hope to raise $75,000 for the project, which is the entire cost of a house. Contributions are being accepted online at http://www.ntjazz.com/NOLA/default.htm. If you enjoy good jazz check out the bands web site above and consider purchasing their CD "25 Years and counting: Celebrating the Silver Anniversary of The Frank Mantooth Jazz Festival at New Trier High School" a double CD featuring world famous guest artists performing with the Jazz Ensemble 1 for $20 with profits going to Habitat for Humanity's "Musician Village."