Savannah, Georgia -- On Friday, April 2nd, the 2010 edition of the Savannah Music Festival's (SMF) SWING CENTRAL High School Jazz Band Competition & Workshop, dubbed the “Pro Bowl of high school jazz bands" by the South Florida Sun Sentinel, wrapped up with a sold-out show featuring competition finalists on a bill alongside an original program performed by their mentors. The unique three-day youth jazz intensive reached new heights this year, joining twelve of the nation's top high school jazz bands with an unmatched group of musicians/educators led by Associate Artistic Director Marcus Roberts. Over three days the young musicians gained instruction on their individual instruments and in playing as part of an ensemble, watched their clinicians play in evening performances during the SMF, played in competition rounds at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts, and performed on Savannah's historic waterfront. A webcast of the SWING CENTRAL showcase on River Street was viewed by more than 1400 people across the country, and is still available for viewing.
SWING CENTRAL 2010 Competition winners include:
Dillard Center for the Arts (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - First Place, Faircloth Award and $5000
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (Jacksonville, FL) - Second Place, $2500
Agoura Hills High School (Agoura Hills, CA) - Third Place, $1000
“SWING CENTRAL reached a new level in its evolution this year," says SMF Executive & Artistic Director Rob Gibson. “After five years, our three-day curriculum has been refined, our team of clinicians has strengthened its capacity and enthusiasm, and we continue to develop around a core mission: to support the growth of the jazz tradition through connecting exceptional mentors and young musicians." During SWING CENTRAL 2010, participating high school musicians were not only exposed to their peers, but also to middle school musicians from the LaVilla School of the Arts band out of Jacksonville, Florida, who performed for them on April 1st. Jazz students of all ages will soon have an instructional and social resource at swingcentraljazz.org, set to be launched this summer. The interactive website will include customizable interactive profiles of SWING CENTRAL clinicians, bands and participants, along with extensive video instruction based on the four elements of playing jazz music: practice, rehearsal, performance and inspiration.
SWING CENTRAL is sponsored by Robert & Jean Faircloth, in part by Atlanta Gas Light and with additional support from Georgia Public Broadcasting. SWING CENTRAL 2011 takes place from March 30 through April 1.
About the Savannah Music Festival
The Savannah Music Festival presents a world-class celebration of the musical arts by creating timeless and adventurous productions that stimulate arts education, foster economic growth, and unite artists and audiences in Savannah, Georgia. The 2011 festival runs from March 24 through April 9, including more than 100 performances of world-class jazz, classical, blues, bluegrass, gospel and other genres of American and international roots music in intimate venues throughout the historic district of Savannah.
