Each year, SacJEF awards $500 in private music lessons to students from middle school through high school who want to take their playing to a higher level.

Applications for the 2022-23 season are now open and students can easily apply online at this website, or by mail.

To be eligible for the award, students must have at least one year of experience playing an instrument (or singing); must be enrolled in a school or community music program; and must complete an application and answer a few questions about themselves. A brief letter of recommendation from their band director or private instructor is optional but recommended. Auditions are not required. Deadline to submit application is October 31st, with winners announced in early November.

To apply, follow this link.

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The Sacramento Jazz Education Foundation is your resource. Our programs are designed to assist music educators by providing educational and performance opportunities for students. We can help with educational tools like The Lesson Bank, in-school clinics and teacher mentoring, instruments for kids, and much more. Our mission is to bring kids and jazz together. Check us out and contact us any time at info@sacjef.org.

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We are sorry to announce that there will be no 2021 Teagarden Jazz Camp.  Our planned 2022 dates are:

  • July 25-31, 2022
  • August 2-7, 2022
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SacJEF presented its annual Music Lessons Awards this week to seventeen deserving young musicians, ranging in age from 9 to 17. These dedicated students will each receive a voucher for $500 in private music lessons with the instructor of their choice. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the awards were mailed instead of being presented in person as in past years.

The mission of SacJEF is to encourage young musicians to learn about and play early jazz, and the Music Lessons Awards program is aimed at helping students develop their skills on their chosen instrument. For a list of this year’s recipients, click here.

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Giving Tuesday is a special day of generosity that takes place every year on the first Tuesday in December. Created in 2012, the Giving Tuesday idea is simple: a day that encourages people to help their community thrive. In its eight-year history, it has grown into a global movement that inspires giving, collaboration and generosity.

This year the Sacramento Jazz Education Foundation will be a part of Giving Tuesday, and we hope you will join us by supporting our mission.  We believe Jazz is America’s only true original art form, and the best way to preserve this wonderful art form is through youth education. Our programs were developed for that purpose – AND to help bring this great music to students who might otherwise never know about it, or never have the opportunity to play an instrument. Join us! Donate here or check out the action at www.givingtuesday.org.

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The Instrument Match program is still going strong, despite the pandemic setbacks. Recently, SacJEF presented a drum set to Liam from West Sacramento. Liam is a student at River City High School, and no longer has to practice on a school-provided drum set.

Special thanks to Nell Mae Johnson for donating the set (and clearing space in her garage!), and to volunteer Ron Jones for getting them refurbished and ready to go!

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