DOING IT AGAIN ---- TYJE ----- ELLINGTON NEW YORK

FROM GREGG GELB

TYJE has made me, and our region, very proud by being selected as a finalist for the National Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Festival this year, and for the last three years.

TYJE is among the top high school student big bands in the country and the students desire to continue attending this prestigious competition each year. The Essentially Ellington Festival is a prime motivator for attracting the most talented youth in the region, while advancing the quality of music education we provide and growing our organization. In 2016, TYJE earned 2nd place and many of the highest individual awards in 2017 and 2018.  The students sound as good as many professional bands. We rehearse once a week on Sunday’s. Participants are selected by audition at the beginning of every year and come from all over the Greater Raleigh region.

Have a quick look at us in this Youtube video. https://youtu.be/LzwocJtYbHw

Our sponsoring organization, The Philharmonic Association, has done incredible work over the 30 years of its existence, growing to sponsor five classical orchestras and three jazz ensembles. It was awarded the 2012 Raleigh Medal of Arts Award for its extraordinary contributions to youth and the arts. It is run on a professional level, with paid instructors for each ensemble.

Student’s fees, grants from United Arts Council and City of Raleigh, and donors fund its operating budget. But for its annual trip to Jazz at Lincoln Center in May of each year, TYJE needs to raise funds separately from Philharmonic Association fundraising.  The estimated cost to take 25 young people and 4 chaperones to NYC for the festival, which is 4 days long, is $25,000.  While we raise some of it through performance fees and Jazz at Lincoln Center provides a small travel stipend, we must rely on donors for the majority.

Therefore, I am writing to you to ask you to help us support the travel costs of this highly respected event. There are three ways to contribute: One, is to purchase tickets to attend our Garden Party/concert/fundraiser on April 27th at 4pm. (please see the announcement below). You can click this link for information https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-york-new-york-jazz-in-the-garden-concert-tickets-57429039804. Two, checks can be written to the Philharmonic Association with Triangle Youth Jazz in the memo and sent to the address below, or third, you can go to www.philharmonic-association where you will find a contribution button. Your support will mean so much to me and to my students!

Sincerely,

Gregg Gelb, Director of Philharmonic Association Jazz Program

Conductor, Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble

2019 Raleigh Medal of Arts Award