University of Louisville Invitational Honor Jazz Band

October 1, 2018

Dear Colleague,

Greetings from the U of L Jazz Studies program! I hope that you and your students are having a great fall semester. As many of you know we host our annual jazz festival in February. This year the dates are Feb 15-16, 2019. You have probably already received or will receive an invitation and information about entering your band. However, this year we are adding something new to Jazz Fest, an invitational Jazz Honor Band. This new event is designed for your outstanding jazz students to get a more extensive experience.

We invite you to nominate your outstanding students to participate in the inaugural
University of Louisville Invitational Honor Jazz Band. Students selected for this group will practice on Friday, Feb 15 and Saturday, Feb 16 and perform on the Saturday evening concert. The group will be under the direction of U of L Professor Emeritus John LaBarbera. Enclosed is a nomination form
that needs to be returned via mail, email (jerry.tolson@louisville.edu) or fax (502) 852-0520 by Monday, December 3rd. You may also nominate your students online at:

Invitational Honor Jazz Band Nomination Form (word)

Letters will then be sent to selected students from your nomination list. Included with their letter will be an explanation and further details about the event, a registration form, hotel options, and final schedule. If you are bringing your band to the festival, you do not have to worry about time conflicts as we will schedule your band performance so that there is no conflict with rehearsals and your warm-up, performance, and clinic times.

During the two-day event, students will be responsible for their own transportation to and from campus. Staying overnight in a hotel is an option, but not a requirement, if commuting to and from UofL is preferred. Arrangements can also be made to stay in the dorms with current U of L jazz students. The registration fee for this event is $50, which includes a 2019 Invitational Honor Jazz Band t-shirt and a pizza lunch on Saturday. Students will also receive a clinic from guest artist Vince DiMartino and will perform one number with him on the Saturday evening concert. CDs of the performance can be ordered at the time of the concert. Participating students will receive complimentary admission to the Friday evening concert with saxophonist Charles McPherson and the U of L Jazz Ensemble I under the direction of Dr. Ansyn Banks.

Thank you in advance for your support. We look forward to working with you and your student musicians! If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Jerry Tolson
U ofL Jazz Fest
Festival Director
School of Music
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
(502) 852-6972 (office)
(502) 852-0520 (fax)