Mission StatementThe Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, more specifically to further education in the field of jazz music via public (and/or private) performances, working with local high school/middle school music students as well as provide a venue for both the students and members to perform and explore big band jazz music. This will be accomplished by fostering unique learning opportunities for the study of and performance of jazz music as an art form and to carry on any related activities designed to accomplish the following: (a) Support school jazz programs (b) Connect professional jazz musicians and students (c) Unite and empower the jazz community (d) Support live jazz performance (e) Increase and educate jazz audiences
MJO Philosophy Statement:The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra exists to provide first-rate big band jazz music for both its audiences and its members. This pursuit includes the performance of music written by the outstanding big band composers and arrangers in the field today and the gearing of that music to the public at hand. The MJO is also dedicated to furthering the education of young musicians in the Denver area by providing a performance venue and a real life jazz experience for them in our Monday night series hosted by Dazzle Jazz Club. Our goal in this endeavor is to continue the tradition of the big jazz band, which has been so important to the history of American popular music.Rev. Apr 09
MJO ProjectsMJO PresentsMJO All-Star Big BandGuest Artist Program (GAP)MJO Concert SeriesMJO High School Scholarship Program (in work)
* “MJO Presents”: In this project, we collaborate with a different high school jazz ensemble each month during the school year (Oct -Jun) to perform at Dazzle Jazz Club in Denver (twice per month, the second & third Mondays). Dazzle has been selected by Downbeat Magazine as one of the "top 100 jazz clubs in the WORLD"!!The school ensemble performs one “set” of music followed by a set of music by MJO. We conclude the evening by inviting the school group to join us for the grand finale! The MJO set serves not only as pure musical entertainment but also as a professional example of a live jazz performance for the audience. The feedback from the students via their band directors has been 100% positive with many schools requesting a second (and third) opportunity to perform with MJO. In preparation for the evening, the students sell tickets to the performance (usually to family and friends). This serves as a great way to 1) ensure a large and very appreciative audience and 2) provide a fund raising activity for the school’s music program. To date, nearly all of the shows have been sold out.
* MJO All-Star Big Band: As a follow on to the school year of performances at Dazzle, MJO puts together an All-Star Big Band in June. Our Musical Director (Jim Mick), having taken careful notes during the performance year, selects students from the various schools to form an "all-star" band. Rehearsals occur for 2-3 evenings before the concert at Dazzle. The students again sell tickets to the performance. This experience is a valuable musical exercise in 1) working together with unfamiliar players, 2) gaining the experience of putting together a show in a very short time which requires self-control, practice and focus and 3) the satisfaction of a job well done. The students’ self esteem is enhanced as we recognize the “best of the best”.
* Guest Artist Program (GAP): The third prong of promoting jazz education and our mission is through our GAP. MJO hires a professional musician to come to Denver to provide clinics (Master Classes) for ALL interested musicians (both students and adults welcome) and perform with MJO in an evening concert. In Nov 2007, we featured trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, and Andy Martin in Nov 2008. Our mission is again fulfilled as students (and adult players as well) are 1) given the opportunity to interact with a professional working musician (asking questions, learning techniques, etc.), 2) observe them up close and personal which provides motivation and incentive that “I can do it too” and 3) culminate the experience with a live performance by the artist, backed up by MJO. This experience of seeing and talking to a professional musician cannot be underestimated in terms of positive reinforcement. New for 2009, we will begin the day with a mini jazz festival featuring 4-5 local high school groups in concert, with Special Guest Clinician Darren Kramer. We will follow the festival with the free clinic (by this year's guest artist Eric Marienthal) and then culminate the day with the evening concert.
* MJO Concert Series: MJO will produce various collaborative concert events throughout the Rocky Mountain Region, initially planned quarterly. We are eager to perform with other music and/or dance organizations. We are open to any and all possibilities! Our first event(s) will be "A Salute To The Troops" July 3rd (Northglenn) and July 5th (Parker), 2009. See our calendar for more details.
MJO is also available for ANY type performance in and with middle and high school music programs . We can travel to your school or possibly coordinate a venue for the event. Additionally, our organization has many experienced players that can do in-school clinics. Many of our players give private lessons as well. Any and all serious inquiries for MJO participation are welcome and encouraged. Contact Scott at any time to discuss! |
Mission Stmt/Proj 