VJC ALUMNI BAND

An annual highlight of the Valley Jazz Cooperative program, the VJC Alumni Band returns to the Ravenscroft Hall stage on Saturday, June 29th at 7pm!

The jazz ensemble, under the direction of Russell Schmidt, features talented young musicians who were previously members of the VJC during their high school years. This exceptionally gifted alumni group presents a concert each June, allowing these creative artists to reconnect and make music once more.

Previous performances by the Alumni Band have included music from composers and arrangers such as Duke Ellington, Bill Holman, Thad Jones, Gerry Mulligan, Sammy Nestico, Nelson Riddle, Maria Schneider, Jueun Seok, and Billy Strayhorn. Concertgoers can also expect one or two combo selections to highlight the formidable improvisation skills of the band members.

The Valley Jazz Cooperative was founded in 2016 and is an educational outreach of MSW Ministries. Instruction is focused on expanding the creativity of VJC members through developing improvisation skills and learning the language of jazz. The main VJC program runs annually between December and May and is offered free of charge to eligible, committed, passionate music students (grades 8-12). The Alumni Band program started in 2022, and the group begins its rehearsal schedule each year upon the conclusion of the JHS/HS program.