Mary Jo Papich

July 1, 2009-July 1, 2010

In the spirit of collaboration, excellence and integrity ignited by the passion for jazz education…

It has been an honor to serve as the first president of the Jazz Education Network since it's founding June 1st, 2008.  President Elect Dr. Lou Fischer and I have worked closely since JEN's inception and we are pleased with the great strides that have been made and look forward to the growth and further development of this exciting organization. 

The highlight of the year was the Inaugural Conference held at the Universityof Missouri- St. LouisMay 20-22, 2010, however the year was filled with many events and activities and this report is a general summary of my activities of the past year---

SUMMER

-Continued to work closely with Symphony Publishing publishers Rick Kessel, Sid Davis and Editor Christian Wissmuller as Lou and I produced the organization's pages in JAZZed magazine.  JAZZed, the official magazine of JEN is published six times per year. The magazine is owned by SP and the 8 pages include: President’s Message, Networthy News, New Members listing, and other pages such as Network with an Expert listing, calendar of events and short special features. JEN is very fortunate to have this unique relationship with Symphony Publishing, continue to work together always!

-Canceled proposed Summer JEN Workshop planned in conjunction with Summer NAMM in Nashville due to low enrollment, we felt the economy was to blame.

-Attended Bix Beiderbecke Festival in Davenport, wrote a congrats note to TJEN that appeared in the official trad jazz newspaper.

-Prepared and presided at the JEN Board of Directors Meeting in Columbus.

-Registered annual paperwork as Jazz Education Network was incorporated in the state of Illinoisas a not for profit.   The official original address of JEN continues to be 1601 Oakwood Ave. #101, Highland Park, Illinois60035, the private home address of the President.

FALL

-Networked at the Chicago Jazz Festival on Labor Day weekend.

-By invitation of Executive Director Terri Pontremoli, Lou and I attended the Detroit Jazz Festival (Aug.30-31) and manned a JEN booth for the attendees promoting JEN by giving out JAZZed magazines and promoting the conference. Terri invited us to everything and we got VIP treatment!

-Attended the Monterey Jazz Festival Sept. 17-19 with the assistance of education director, Rob Klevan hearing as many sessions as possible!  Approached many artists about performing at upcoming JEN conferences…Esperanza Spalding, Marcus Printemps, Dave Brubeck Qt., Matt Marantz, and many others.

-By invitation Lou and I attended the Q Musiq Consortium in New York Cityheld in November by Quincy Jones and attended by approximately 65 leaders in music and jazz education to discuss how to get more youth involved in music. Spent time networking with many and invited Herbie Hancock and Q to be involved with either the UMSL or NOLA conference. Connected with VHI and many others.

-Took a pre-conference site visit to University of Missouri-St. Louis, staying with Jim and Lana Widner.  Many meetings with UMSL personnel, catering, staff and Dawn DeBlaze (publicity) to prepare for the upcoming conference.

-Exhibitor - JEN booth at the Marching Bands of America/BOA/Music For All booth in Indy at Finals Nov. 13-14 with President Elect Lou Fischer.  Participated in Awards Ceremony onfield as MFA honored JEN with a trophy (which we proudly display at our Exhibit booth).

-Visited Percussive Arts Society International Conference at the invitation of Founding member Michael Kenyon, PAS Executive Director, at the Convention Center in Indy.      -Attended opening night ceremony for the PASMuseum.  Visited booths of major players inviting all to become involved in JEN.

-Requested by Wayne Brown to serve on the Artistic Excellence panel for National Endowment for the Arts mid November in Washington, D.C.representing jazz.  This consisted of reading approximately 60 grants and listening to accompanying CD's to 15 of the groups.  Served on this panel with trumpeter Jimmy Owens,  Willie Hill of MENC and distinguished experts from other parts of the country.

WINTER

-Exhibitor- JEN exhibited at the McCormick Placeat the Chicago Midwest Clinic Dec. 16-19th where thousands of interested band and orchestra directors were exposed to JEN.  Also working the booth were Ruben Alvarez, Dan Gregerman, Dave Fodor, Paul Chiaravalle, and others.  I strongly suggest always exhibiting at this well attended conference.  Living in Chicagoarea will allow me to continue to assist in this worthwhile endeavor.

-Served on the Music Education Days Committee for Support Music Coalition at NAMM held in AnaheimJanuary 14-17th.  Networked with attending directors and visited exhibitor booths inviting JEN support.  Handed out cards and magazines at the Symphony Publishing booth.  Met with prospective clients. Continue to represent JEN with Support Music Coalition.

-Attended by invitation the NEA Jazz Masters Ceremony and reception in New York CityJanuary 12th.  Met with many prospective and current JEN members.

While in NYC, attended the open sessions at APAP (Association of Performing Arts Presenters) and spoke about JEN and invited all to the Inaugural Conference.

Prepared and presided at the JEN Board of Directors Meeting in St. Louisin January.

-Exhibitor - JEN booth at Illinois Music Education Association AllState Conference in Peoriaas it was reasonable in cost and hoped it would bring educators from South Illinoisclose to St. Louis. Assisted by Founding member Dan Gregerman, Bill Koch and other Illinoismembers.  Also spoke at the Illinois Music Education Association instrumental and vocal jazz unit meeting in Peoria.  I often passed out the JEN palmcards and/or magazines as I adjudicated or visited jazz festivals in the Midwestor wherever I travel!

-Traveled to Mexicofor the 2nd Annual JEN endorsed “Come Play on the Beach” Jazz Festival in Puerto VallartaFeb. 12-15.  This is a JEN endorsed event with corporate founding member, Rick Dillard of American Classic Tours utilizing JEN members as judges/clinicians. There were six groups performing 2-3 times each for thousands of spectators.  Board member Ruben Alvarez was an outstanding performer/clinician/interpreter for the second year in a row.  Dr. Lou Fischer is scheduled to adjudicate in 2011, Feb.16-20th. Met with the mayor and received outstanding city support as the city purchased several ads in JAZZed to promote the fest that is attended by thousands of locals and visitors. In addition to starting the festival, inspired by my Highland Park Sister City Foundation school performance trips, I serve as Artistic Director.

SPRING

-Traveled to South African Jazz Educators Conference at the Universityof Capetownthe end of March, presented, "Current Trends in JAZZ in the USA!" with Judy Shafer of the Columbus Jazz Arts Group.  Also spoke at the Opening Night Concert, Evening reception on behalf of JEN, inviting them to our upcoming conferences.  Met with Lou often to work on scheduling sessions at the upcoming UMSL conference.  Spent an afternoon with an impressive yet impoverished young talented group from DelftTownship(this might be worth looking at for a future JENerosity Project).  Attended Rashid Lombard's Cape Town Jazz Festival and passed out many JEN cards and palm cards. Took a couple of days to sightsee and visit wineries with Carol Martin, SAJE board member and founder of Sisters in Sound.

-Attended National Honors Jazz Band Concert co-sponsored by MFA/JEN in Indianapolisand introduced Lou as guest director.  Was excited to be there as I had a student in the selected group! This is an outstanding honors ensemble and it would be ideal if they could eventually perform at our JEN conference.

-Privilege to be invited to serve on a panel with David Baker, Bart Marantz, Chuck Tumlinson, and J.B. Dyas on Current Trends in Jazz Education at the Brubeck Festival April 8-11 at the Brubeck Institute at the Universityof Pacificsin Stockton, California.  Executive Director Steve Anderson does an outstanding job planning an annual Brubeck Festival and this year the theme was Jazz Education.

-Highlight of the year was definitely the Inaugural JEN CONFERENCE held May 20-22 at UMSL!!!   Lou, Jackie and I came in early to work with host Jim Widner and met with UMSL personnel in preparation for the big event. Hilton's Jennifer Purcell and her staff proved to be incredible hotel hosts.  Attendance thrilled all of us with approximately 1300 participating! Surprising all of us was the high attendance of approximately 70 people attending the first Open Board of Directors meeting opening the conference Thursday morning.  Radio and TV interviews were arranged by the capable DeBlaze & Associates prior and during the conference.  Jim Widner, Gary Brandeis and the UMSL students were absolutely fantastic as hosts.  Our first Outreach  program of visiting performing artists/ensembles was quite successful and reached over 600 students and was well organized by local Phil Dunlap of Jazz St. Louis. I hope to see this become a regular feature of our annual conference as a way to service educators and students in the local area.  Founding Institutional sponsor Columbia College Chicago hosted a memorable Founder's Reception on Opening Night.  The conference offered over 75 clinics and concerts with top quality evening concerts followed by terrific late night jams.  I offered a Women In Jazz $1,000 scholarship to a local college student that I will commit to for five years.  The JENerosity Project, a two year initiative chaired by Jim Warrick and UMSL students generated approximately $10,000 of music and instruments to assist the devastated music programs of NOLA's schools affected by Katrina via Tipitiana's Foundation.   I feel strongly about continuing this altruistic project of JEN helping others and know the board will recognize other programs/locations in need in the years to come. Comments following the conference were outstanding, it was obvious that those who attended rated the conference quite high.  Thanks to the many volunteers and UMSL staff and students along with the board in making dream reality in producing this historic Inaugural Conference!

Summer

-Prepared guidelines for a Student Art Program Cover Contest so student art work can be featured on the cover of the program.

General

-Total membership of JEN at this date is approximately 850 members in 46 states and 18 countries.

-Hired Founding Board member Steve Crissinger as part time office manager in April before the conference to assist with answering the many emails we were experiencing. 

Added an official phone number to JEN….614-524-4212. Steve has been a major asset and he is extremely professional and timely in all his correspondences. 

-It has been my privilege and honor to represent JEN at many functions as a leader and ambassador of this wonderful organization. As part of my contribution to JEN I have attended the listed trips at my own expense with NilesSchool District 219 paying for the NAMM trip and the JEN Conference at UMSL.

I started a President’s Advisory Council/Cabinet to act as a personal sounding board to the existing president.  As the new president Dr. Fischer will be selecting a new council but I would like to acknowledge and thank the following people who offered their personal and professional advice:

Geri Allen, David Baker, Bob Breithaupt, Warrick Carter, Bob Curnow, Orbert Davis, Dick Dunscomb, Jon Faddis, Tony Garcia, Sherrie Maricle, Ron Modell, Dennis Tini and Gene Wenner.

As I step aside to serve as Past President I look forward to my continued involvement with the board, tapping and mentoring future leaders, developing student programs, securing additional funding/grants, increasing membership and staying true to the JEN mission of advancing education, promoting performance, and developing new audiences.  I look ahead to working with the very capable Lou and the Board of Directors to produce the next conference (which is where I envisioned our first conference) in the historic jazz city of New Orleans!

"JEN….We chose the word NETWORK because that is what we do…we make connections….to enhance the jazz experience…whether it be teaching, performing, producing, managing or listening.  JEN is an organization dedicated to networking in the jazz arts community and our goal is to be a vital resource for a constantly evolving global art form TODAY and for JENerations to come."  

Mary Jo Papich

JEN President - CoFounder

June 30th, 2010