RJS HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN SPONSORING OUR YOUTH.
IN AUGUST, 2000. REDDING RIVERCITY JAZZ SOCIETY
sponsored two young men: SCOTT GOODIN and PAUL SENN.

The Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society "JAZZ CAMP" is one of the finest youth activities you can imagine. For one week, selected teens from Washington, Oregon, and California attend jazz workshops taught by professional musicians.

Scott plays piano and Paul has chosen the cornet and trombone.
These photos were taken on campus at SACRAMENTO TRAD JAZZ CAMP,
held in Sly Park in the foothills of the Sierras. Are they having a good time, or what?

Paul (on the left) and Scott (right) - below -
will "demonstrate" what they learned at camp during a future Sunday concert.


CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
(Pictures courtesy of RJS member, Al Sateren)

TRAD JAZZ CAMP, 2000

JUNE, 1999. RJS YOUTH BAND performed during the Sunday Concert at the Elks Lodge to a roaring crowd! Paul Senn, trumpet; Jeff Schmitt, trombone; Chris Gross, clarinet; Jesse Myers, drums; Bret Ditzler, bass; Wes Myers, piano; Teri Caruso, vocals. They're on their musical way, guaranteed!
Abundant appreciation for our young musicians was obvious. We kid you not. These boys were great! Click on images to enlarge.

RIVERCITY JAZZ SOCIETY YOUTH BAND

To quote our Prez, PHIL FORD, in the June '99 SOUNDS (newsletter) ...
"Our society can put a large feather in its cap this month with the confirmation of ... count ’ em ... five student musicians heading for Jazz Camp in Sacramento this summer. Those students are JESSIE MIEYERS, (drums); CHRIS TEEPLES, (bass); BRET DITGLER, (guitar); PAUL SENN (banjo) - all from Redding, and SCOTT GOODIN, (piano), from Red Bluff. In fact, at the recent Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, Paul Senn was invited to “come on up” to play cornet with BIG MAMA SUE. We hope to give the same “hands on” experience to our youth."

August is a warm month in the Sacramento Valley, and "hot jazz" prevails at camp, according to Paul Senn, a local young man who attended in 1997, 1998, and was selected, again, in 1999. Through raffle proceeds, Rivercity Jazz Society helps local youth in a variety of ways.The STJS Jazz Camp is the most rewarding to us ... these youngsters arrive home all rev-v-ved up about being in a jazz ensemble with their peers! Soon after their return, "our kids" are invited to play/sing during a Rivercity Jazz Society Sunday Concert.

The students are separated by instruments - they practice alone and together. Soon the instruments are joined together for "band practice" and they have the JOY of hearing the real musical sounds they create! Instruction also includes the History of Jazz, music theory and composition.

On the last day, the musicians have been separated into bands according to skill. An Award Ceremony signals the final night where special awards are given. These young people perform at the Sacramento Trad Jazz Society's Sunday concert that month. This is the finale to their Jazz Week!

We applaud the professional jazz musicians who teach.
WELL DONE, FUTURE JAZZERS!