Hello Everyone:

I hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the entry of spring.  Much has happened since my last communication.   The annual IAJE Conference in New York City was an amazing success and our state was represented tremendously well.  We had many performers, clinicians, officers and attendees from our great state.  Thank you to everyone who traveled to New York and served as musical ambassadors for Michigan.  You make it a pleasure to represent you. 

The Michigan Music Educators In-Service was also an amazing success.  After decades on the east side of the state, the conference made its way to Grand Rapids in January.  All aspects of the conference were successful and IAJE once again made a great showing.  I can honestly say that it is always a treat for me to stand in front of the IAJE Educators Reading Band.   Made up of some of the finest players and educators state wide, the band played newly published music to the educators in attendance on the Saturday of the conference.  I received so many positive comments from attendees about the mission of the reading band and how hard the band swings.   Thanks to all involved. 

I would also like to introduce our new state Secretary – Scott Cowan of Western Michigan University.  If you get a chance, please thank Scott and introduce yourself.   After serving for one year as secretary Max Colley III has moved on to greener pastures in Phoenix, AZ.  The talent, wit and humanity that Max brought to the music scene in West Michigan will be missed.  We wish him well.  

Please mark your calendar for Labor Day weekend.  The Detroit International Jazz festival will once again hold court in downtown Detroit.  IAJE will be represented in a number of ways at the event.   All the college and high school judges are IAJE members.  IAJE and MSBOA scholarships will be awarded to best soloists in college and high school categories.  In addition, the IAJE MI Reading Band will perform, several jazz education clinics will be presented, and we will hold both an Executive Board and General Membership meeting for our state chapter.  Please stay tuned to the website for location, dates, and times.

Speaking of the website.......

It is simply amazing.  Please visit it as often as you can.  Denis Naranjo has done an unbelievable job with the site.  It is continuously updated and contains a vast amount of information.  I can honestly say it is the best state website in the country.  I would like to publicly thank Denis for his amazing and creative work.  Please, please, please – use the site.  If you have an event to recommend, send it to the site using the e-mail and/or event submit links.  Tell everyone you can about it.  I believe it is fast becoming the central point of entry for anyone interested in jazz in the state. 

Your state officers continue to work on a number of issues.  First and foremost is our relationship with MSBOA.  I have had, and will continue to have conversations with our friends at MSBOA in our joint efforts to bring the best of jazz and jazz education to the young people of this state.  We are working on a number of issues concerning state and district festivals.  We are also working on updating the suggested Jazz Ensemble Repertoire List.  Similarly, we at IAJE would like to have a greater presence at the state conference.  I am both excited and encouraged by our relationship with MSBOA.  I think both organizations can look forward to a bright future together. 

One continual issue for our organization is membership.  We are brainstorming ideas to increase statewide membership in IAJE.

On behalf of the State Executive Board, I would like to thank you for all that you do for jazz and jazz education in Michigan.  Please contact me if you have any ideas, questions, concerns, rants, kudos, $.........especially $. 

Seriously….....Thank You.