KCMEA JAZZ DAY 2024
JAZZ DAY RETURNS ON APRIL 11!
The Kern County Music Educators' Association and the Bakersfield College Jazz Studies Program are pleased to announce the 7th annual KCMEA Jazz Day at Bakersfield College on Thursday, April 11, 2024. This all-day event will feature student jazz ensembles from throughout Kern County performing in the Simonsen Performing Arts Center Indoor Theater, with showcase performances by the BC Jazz Ensemble, the BC Faculty Jazz Combo, and the Kern County Honor Jazz Band.
All events in the PAC Indoor Theater are free and open to the public. See below for info and directions for campus visitors.
HEAD CLINICIAN
Our head clinician is Dawn Clement, an internationally acclaimed pianist, vocalist, and composer. Her most recent release, Islands, was created in collaboration with producer, keyboardist, and guitarist Jon Solo, and features a range of all-star guests including trumpeter Shane Endsley, saxophonist Skerik, and drummer Allison Miller. She has performed with many jazz luminaries including Jane Ira Bloom, Ron Miles, Matt Wilson, Rene Marie, Juliana Priester, and säje. She currently serves as Associate Professor and Area Coordinator of the Jazz and American Improvised Music Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver, and she is a sought-after guest artist and clinician. Professor Clement will work directly with each student ensemble and will perform with the BC Faculty Jazz Combo.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
9:45-12:15 Morning Bands (Indoor Theater)
9:45 Bakersfield High School Driller Jazz Band
10:10 Shafter High School Jazz Band
10:35 Del Oro High School Jazz Ensemble
11:00 Foothill High School Jazz Ensemble
11:25 West High School Viking Regiment Jazz Band
11:50 Ridgeview High School Symphonic Jazz Ensemble
12:15-1:00 BC Faculty Jazz Combo with Dawn Clement (Indoor Theater)
1:00-1:30 Lunch Break
1:30-2:15 BC Jazz Studies Faculty Breakout Workshops (PAC Various Locations)
2:25-5:10 Afternoon Bands (Indoor Theater)
2:25 Showcase: Kern County Honor Jazz Band
2:50 Showcase: Bakersfield College Jazz Ensemble
3:30 Centennial High School Big Band
3:55 Stockdale High School Jazz Ensemble
4:20 Taft Union High School Jazz Band
4:45 Highland High School Jazz Band
INFORMATION FOR CAMPUS VISITORS
Visitors may park in student lot P3 at Panorama and Mt. Vernon. Guest parking permits are $5/day and can be purchased at this link.
School buses can drop students off at the loop just east of PAC building, and then park in lot P7 at Mt. Vernon and University.
INFORMATION FOR DIRECTORS
Each participating ensemble will begin with a 25-minute private clinic in the band room (PAC-2). Your students will perform 1 or 2 selections for the clinician and get tips and feedback to polish and refine their performance.
Following the clinic, your ensemble will proceed to the Indoor Theater stage to give a 15-20 minute public performance of up to 4 selections. You will receive written feedback on this performance, and it will be professionally recorded.
There will be midday breakout workshops for brass, saxophones, and rhythm section led by BC Jazz Studies faculty. Please plan to stay and attend as many of the day's events with your students as possible!
Food is not provided. Participants should bring their own lunch or visit The Dining Commons at Campus Center (burgers, pizza, burritos, salads, etc.).
BC will provide grand piano, drum set, congas, bongos, vibraphone, guitar and bass amps, cables, stands, chairs, solo and announce mics. Please describe any special staging needs in the application form below.
Participation is limited to 10 ensembles. The application deadline for Kern County High School ensembles is Thursday, March 14. Junior High and Middle School programs will be considered after that date if there are slots available.
Registration fees are due by Monday, April 1. Mail a check for $200 payable to KCMEA to:
Kris Tiner, Director of Jazz Studies
Department of Performing Arts
Bakersfield College
1801 Panorama Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93305
Further details will be sent via email upon receipt of your application.
KCMEA is an approved vendor through KHSD. Please ensure that your check will be sent directly to the address above.
For information on credit card payments or other questions, please contact Kris Tiner at kris.tiner@bakersfieldcollege.edu or 661-395-4313.