I am so excited to fundraise for NEF as well as Off the Cuff, Naperville Central's Vocal Jazz ensemble.  

Naperville Educational Foundation is a wonderful organization that supplies grants to many necessary causes in District 203.  They make a huge difference in our community and I am so happy to be fundraising to support this excellent program!

Off the Cuff is in its second year of existence.  Students have loved the opportunity to sing the vocal jazz style.  Vocal jazz repertoire is complex and helps students in their musicianship journey as they develop their ears and understanding of many different branches of jazz.  Thus, this ensemble helps students improve their musicianship and vocal abilities greatly.  Last year, they worked with some of the Who's who of vocal jazz educators: Dan Gregerman, Stacey Cunningham, and Peter Eldridge of the New York Voices.  We traveled to clinics and a festival, learning so much about musicianship and making new friends in the process.

This year, we are hoping to raise funds to purchase a mixer so that students can sing on microphones, true to the vocal jazz style.  While this opportunity would allow for students to be true to the vocal jazz style, students can also learn real-life skills about musicianship such as: how to properly take care of gear, microphone technique, as well as continuing to understand their voice.  In order for this to happen, we need to purchase a sound board and 2 new monitors (if we're going to be on microphone, we need to heard by the audience!).  At the minimum, this will cost around $4,000. 

We will be expanding the program through the creation of a second ensemble called OTC.  This ensemble will be 5 singers (1 on each voice part).  This will provide real-life experiences to students about what it would be like to sing in a professional ensemble where they are independant.  I have also scheduled a clinic with highly sought-after clinician, Alyssa Allgood.  This Chicago native (and graduate of North Central College) has won a Downbeat as well as multiple international titles; she is also a phenomenal human and gifted jazz educator.  We are extremely lucky to have time with her!  

Finally, our year will culminate in the experience of performing at the New York Voices Festival in March where students will have the opportunity to perform, receive feedback from one of the New York Voices, listen to/learn from other local high school performances, and of course make new friends!  Students had a phenomenal experience last year and found these experiences to be extremely beneficial in their musician journey.  

Should you consider donation, your generosity will be put to excellent use.  We are grateful for any donation you are able to offer.  Thank you for supporting the students of Naperville 203!