Dear Band Families -

A few days ago I talked with Mr. Williams to share some unbelievable news.

Back around ISAT time, Jazz Band 1 recorded a CD (three tunes) as part of an audition to perform at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. In addition to the amazing CD the kids made, we also submitted a DVD of us performing at the Central Swing Dance and I had talked to three well-known professionals in the field for letters of recommendation.

Last week I received an email from the Midwest board of directors inviting Jazz Band 1 to perform at next year's Midwest Clinic (December 2008)! Allow me to explain what the Midwest Clinic is. This is an international, week-long convention that usually attracts between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors (Directors and others in the music field) each year. Held at the Hilton Towers in Chicago, this convention hosts professional development clinics, professional musicians, lectures, and performances. On the middle school end of things, the board of directors invites 2 middle school concert bands and 1 middle school jazz band from across the country. To put it into perspective, there are 35,000 middle schools in the country and Edison's Jazz Band 1 was the jazz band chosen to perform at the conference! This is the most prestigious, exclusive, and high profile performance in the music education world!-I am so proud of this group of kids!!

Because of the amount of paper work and planning that goes into an event of this caliber, all groups audition a year in advance. Meaning, next year's Jazz Band 1 will be performing in December at Midwest. Auditions for next year's Jazz Band 1 will be held in mid May-audition music will be coming out soon.

More information will be on the way, but could not wait to tell you the wonderful news about these kids!

Congratulations to the Jazz Band 1 members, this is an achievement that they can hold with them long after they leave Edison.

Sincerely,

Mike Lehman

Director of Bands

Edison Middle School