Join the Jazz Education Program

"Hey kid, do you think you could lead a band?"

When you think of your musical heroes, it can be easy to feel that they were always destined for glory and a bit out of reach…But every star has a brave and uncertain start.

Vancouver Swing Legend, Dal Richards, recalls forming his first little band in high school after hearing Benny Goodman on the radio. In the early 1930s, he played clarinet in the Kitsilano Boys Band. After graduating from Magee Secondary, Dal went straight into the clubs as a working musician. He was a sideman at the Palomar Ballroom, when they asked him:

"Hey kid, do you think you could lead a band?" His response was… "Sure," and the rest is history.

Now Dal is opening the door for aspiring young talents through the Dal Richards Scholarship Fund.

2010 Dal Richards Scholarship Winner, Chelsea McBride, first caught our eye in the TD High School Jazz Intensive Program. Chelsea was thrilled to play live at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, with her hero Dal, and is now starting her post-secondary music studies with a head start on tuition.

Another legendary musician and Scholarship Founder, Fraser MacPherson recalls a tentative start,

“I used to drive my father crazy I think…It really never occurred to me that one could make a living at this….I found myself in the Commerce Department. It seemed like a practical thing to do…I was in my 5th year…had a chance to play at the Palomar so I grabbed it!”

Visit Jazz Street Vancouver for more Jazz legends.

Aspiring ‘jazzers’ Audition Now! Catch your break at TD High School Jazz Intensive 2011.

TD High School Jazz Intensive AUDITIONS ARE NOW ON through April 15, 2011. A whole new round of jazz talents will ‘cut their teeth’ at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Students (Grades 10, 11 and 12) are selected from across the Lower Mainland to form a Big Band of exciting young musicians. This is an amazing opportunity.

FREE Top Training & a Pro Gig… Band members get to learn from world-class jazz masters, rehearse with talented friends and enjoy workshops and concerts. Their residency culminates in a free, live performance at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

Music Composition…Aspiring songwriters in the band, can enter our composition contest. The winning tune will be arranged by Artist-in-Residence/Conductor, Nicole Mitchell, and featured in the final TD High School Jazz Intensive Big Band Show.

Scholarships…Participants are also eligible for music scholarships –including the Dal Richards Scholarship, Fraser MacPherson Scholarship Fund and special Awards from our TD Sponsors.

Want to learn more and prepare your application? Visit us here:

STUDENTS! AUDITION NOW! High School Jazz Intensive (June 24-July 3, 2011)!

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Watch TD High School Jazz Intensive 2008 on SHAW TV

Questions? Please contact Zaena Campbell: zaena@coastaljazz.ca
Education, Outreach & Community Programs