Philosophy

Legislation from the U.S. House of Representatives, September 1987, states: "Jazz is hereby designated a national American treasure to which we should devote our attention, support, and resources to make certain it is preserved, understood, and promulgated". In the spirit of this legislation, the Jazz Discovery Music Festival is designed to be a positive, non-competitive event where all the participants have an opportunity to "discover" jazz. Whether the participant is an inexperienced student or a veteran director, all will benefit from the comments of some of the best clinicians and performers in the country. In addition, participants will have an opportunity to experience live performances presented by university and professional ensembles. The festival strives to provide the highest performing, educational, and listening experiences possible and no director should feel their ensemble is too inexperienced to participate. All who participate will be winners, as they will gain a better understanding of and deeper appreciation for jazz. The philosophy of the festival is that this "discovery" will create a better educated producer and consumer of jazz who will then "preserve, understand, and promulgate" this American art form through the 21^st century.