IPCF Grant Funds Community Music Programming

June 1, 2018

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation (IPCF) will allow for the continuation of Illinois Wesleyan’s School of Music’s Chamber Music Festival and Camp and Jazz Festival.

For 17 years, the Chamber Music Festival and Camp for strings, piano, winds and harp has provided a rigorous chamber music training program for high school and college student musicians. Starting July 8, the three-week program conducted by School of Music faculty consists of master workshops, daily coaching sessions, group rehearsals and performances. The series will hold 15 performances featuring faculty, guest artists and students. All events are free and open to the public.

Such community-wide performances will continue into the school year with the 44th annual Jazz Festival, to be held on February 1 and 2, 2019. The festival provides junior high and high school jazz ensembles the opportunity to compete in front of a panel of expert judges. Participating ensembles also gain valuable exposure to performers of varying experience levels, from local groups to featured guest musicians.

In addition to concerts dedicated to guest performers, IWU's Jazz Ensemble and vocal jazz ensemble Unlicensed Syncopation are anticipated to present a concert with all other adjudicators for the festival. In past festivals, adjudicators have also led a series of masterclasses showcasing various jazz instruments and proper technique. All events are free and open to the public.

Funding for both programs is provided through the Illinois Prairie Arts and Culture Endowed Fund and the Jerome Mirza Arts and Culture Fund.

By Rachel McCarthy ’21