2023 JAZZ EDUCATION PROGRAM
After a few years away due to the global public health events, we were able to host our first youth Jazz Education Program since 2019. For the last twelve years, the PEC Jazz Festival has hosted the finest jazz education program in Canada for more than 1100 high school jazz musicians. Each year some of Ontario's best student jazz bands attend the three-day session to work with top jazz performers and music educators.
This year's program took place Friday, March 24th to Sunday, March 26th. Beginning on a sunny afternoon along the shore of West Lake at Isaiah Tubbs Resort, four high school jazz ensembles gathered to perform for each other and get acquainted with a team of masterful jazz musicians. All of whom they would spend the next few days working with and learning from during a variety of clinics and ensemble exercises.
This year's clinicians included, Colleen Allen, Scott Alexander, Kelsley Grant, Gord Sheard, Alexander Brown, Blair Yarranton, and Brian Barlow.
On Friday evening, our group of clinicians put on a stellar show for the students, which only added to the excitement of the days of clinics to follow. Over the course of the weekend student musicians participated in section-specific workshops for their instrument, many exercises in improvisation, soloing and playing collaboratively in a small combo with others. Each of the ensembles had a number of sessions with an assigned clinician to tailor and polish their prepared pieces and add special features for the Sunday concert. During this time, our clinicians really got to pour into the students and encourage them to grow in their musicianship and confidence.
On Saturday night, some more special guests arrived - the University of Toronto "10 o'clock" Big Band. A number of the students in this band have also come through the Jazz Education Program and expressed how much it encouraged them and their growth towards post-secondary music. After another awe-inspiring performance, students had the opportunity to ask all of their burning questions to the band and it's Director, Jason Logue. One question in particular put the U of T students on the hot seat, "How many hours a day do you practice?" (The answer: Some of them upwards of 3 hours!)
The grand finale to this immersive experience was our "Swing Into Spring" feature concert held at The Empire Theatre. Lead off by the Brian Barlow Big Band and our talented guest clinicians, each of the ensembles showcased all of their hard work. A special highlight was Cawthra Park's rendition of the Snarky Puppy tune, "Trinity."
Participating ensembles include,
Centennial Secondary School (Belleville)
John McCrae Secondary School (Ottawa)
Cawthra Park Secondary School (Mississauga)
and the Toronto Jazz Academy Orchestra.
This program could not have been successful without the extensive efforts of Blair Yarranton, who plans and prepares for this weekend throughout the year. Special thanks and acknowledgement as well to Brian Barlow who also contributes a significant amount of his personal time, instruments and materials to ensure the students have the most professional experience.
This program would not happen without the generous financial gifts from The Barlow Family, in memory of Robert Barlow, as well as Long & McQuade Musical Instruments who provided us with the sound gear at MacDonald Hall.
2019 Jazz Education Program
2019 marks the 11th year of the Prince Edward County Jazz Festival Jazz Education Program. This unique program for high school students provides an opportunity for young musicians to work with some of Canada's top jazz performers and music educators.
Our 2019 program took place Friday, March 22 to Sunday, March 24. Capping off the three days of workshops, performances, and clinics was a concert at the historic Regent Theatre in Picton, Ontario, featuring the Brian Barlow Big Band along with the four participating high school ensembles and guest vocalist Heather Bambrick.
This program would not happen without the generous support of the following people:
Pinnacle Music Studios, Mark Rashotte, Tricia & Mike Stiff, Roli & Linda Tipper (Tipper Financial Services), and The Barlow Family in memory of Robert Barlow.
2019 participants:
Jazz.FM Youth Big Band
R. S. McLaughlin CVI (Oshawa)
Ottawa Jr. Jazz Band
Malvern Collegiate Institute (Toronto)
2019 clinicians:
Christine Jensen, Kelsley Grant, Jason Logue, Brian Barlow, Marika Galea, Blair Yarranton
Our 2019 program took place Friday, March 22 to Sunday, March 24. Capping off the three days of workshops, performances, and clinics was a concert at the historic Regent Theatre in Picton, Ontario, featuring the Brian Barlow Big Band along with the four participating high school ensembles and guest vocalist Heather Bambrick.
This program would not happen without the generous support of the following people:
Pinnacle Music Studios, Mark Rashotte, Tricia & Mike Stiff, Roli & Linda Tipper (Tipper Financial Services), and The Barlow Family in memory of Robert Barlow.
2019 participants:
Jazz.FM Youth Big Band
R. S. McLaughlin CVI (Oshawa)
Ottawa Jr. Jazz Band
Malvern Collegiate Institute (Toronto)
2019 clinicians:
Christine Jensen, Kelsley Grant, Jason Logue, Brian Barlow, Marika Galea, Blair Yarranton