SPECIAL EDITION April 2013 www.gbyo.

org

The

GBYOAN

Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras Alumni Newsletter

ALL THAT JAZZ!

Music Director Christopher Hisey has announced plans to launch the new GBYO Jazz Ensemble this coming fall, featuring up to 25 young musicians. For the first time in nearly thirty-five years, GBYO will bring youth and jazz together.

BIG NEWS FOR THE 2013-14 SEASON

GBYO welcomes contributed photos and memorabilia!

What will make the new GBYO Jazz Ensemble unique is the cross-training of Ensemble musicians into symphonic instruments saxophone to bassoon, for example with training provided by GBYO coaches. Not only will this enrich the musical education of countless students, it will act as a feeder program to the Concert, Symphony and Principal Orchestras. The path to the new GBYO Jazz Ensemble has many expenses: equipment, personnel, sheet music, and scholarship funding to make the program affordable to families. Unlike the early days of the organization, GBYO is not subsidized by the Greater Bridgeport Symphony or the University of Bridgeport. We are now selfsustaining, and strive to maintain low tuitions and a balanced budget. This is where we look to you, our alumni especially those from the heyday of the Jazz Ensemble in the 1970s. Wonderful memories and fine musicians came out of that program, and GBYO wants to make that happen again. We need your help.

SPECIAL EDITION April 2013 www.gbyo.org Let the voice of GBYO Alumni be heard! Contributions of all denominations are welcome, from $25 up to major sponsorships and endowments. (See the bottom
of this article for details.)

Montreux Jazz Festival, 1978

We look forward to inviting you to the first GBYO Jazz Ensemble Concert in a future edition of the GBYOAN. Perhaps in the future, Jazz Ensemble musicians and alumni can meet for a Side-by-Side/Reunion Concert the best of the old and the new.

Help GBYOhelp our youthbring big band sound into the community again!
The Jazz Ensemble with its first conductor, Mr. Richard Burlant

To get the GBYO Jazz Ensemble started, GBYO will need to purchase about $3000 worth of new equipment. Salaries for the director and coaches will come to about $6000 for the first year. In addition, GBYO would like to purchase certain symphonic instruments, such as bassoons and AClarinets, to facilitate and encourage students training in symphonic music. The new GBYO Jazz Ensemble will also perform in new and exciting venues. You can sponsor and concert or a section. Please see below for gift opportunities. support will be much appreciated! Your

1971

SPECIAL EDITION April 2013 www.gbyo.org

YES, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING YOUTH AND JAZZ MUSIC TOGETHER AGAIN!
All donations are welcome. Please circle your choice below and return to the address at the bottom of this form.

PLEASE ACCEPT MY DONATION OF

$25 $50 $75 $100 $150 To sponsor a specific need, in your own name or in honor or in memory of someone, the following options* are available: SPONSOR OUR EQUIPMENT Microphones and stands Instruments SPONSOR OUR STAFF Conductor $3,000 $3,000 Coaches $1,000 $1,000 $1,500 Amplifiers Sheet Music $ 500 $ 500

SPONSOR OUR PREMIERE CONCERT: DEFRAY TUITION EXPENSES:

GBYO aims to serve all deserving music students, and regularly offers financial aid to those students who qualify. As we begin this exciting new venture, we ask your help in creating a scholarship fund for those whose families cannot afford the tuition, which should be about $250 per student in the first year. Donations in multiples of $250 will be used for tuition assistance. ENDOW A JAZZ STUDENT EACH YEAR: Donate $5,000 to be used as an annuity fund to pay the tuition for a deserving jazz student. *All donors of $250 or more will receive two (2) complimentary season tickets to GBYO performances. ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. GBYO IS A 501(c)3 CHARITABLE CORPORATION. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please find enclosed my donation of $___________ for the new GBYO Jazz Ensemble Name: Address: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Telephone: _____________________________ email: ______________________________

Your years in GBYO:___________________

SPECIAL EDITION April 2013 www.gbyo.org For donations of $250 or greater, please specify In honor of In memory of With the compliments of __________________________________ or __________________________________ __________________________________

Please make checks payable to GBYO, and return to: Mark R. Halstead, alumni coordinator 222 Casmir Drive Fairfield, CT 06825-1229 (203)372-2724, mhalstead@snet.net

SPECIAL NOTICE TO GBYO ALUMNI FROM 1989 THROUGH 2012

THANK BARB UPTON

Chris and Barb at the Gala, last year.

Longtime GBYO Executive Director Barb Upton is retiring at the end of this season after 24 years of dedicated service to GBYO. We invite you to write a postcard of thanks, to be added to an album being prepared for her. Responses can be sent to David Muller, GBYO President, at dmuller59@gmail.com, or by calling Dave at (203)258-4124.