Fort Pierce, Florida - January 13, 2009 - On February 1, 2009, Vero Beach High School graduate, Cory High will be on the field at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa for Superbowl XLIII. But, the 19 year-old won't be holding a football. Instead, he will be holding a drum. Drumming is High's passion. Because of his musical ability, the Fort Pierce Jazz and Blues Society awarded the teen a $1,000 scholarship last year. "Cory had a 4.0 GPA, far exceeding our guidelines, and he wowed our Board of Directors during his audition in April 2008," says Katie Hill, President of the Fort Pierce Jazz and Blues Society (FPJBS).

Hill was a little skeptical when she first met High for the audition. "He did not arrive for the audition with his two pieces of music as required. Normally, our scholarship applicants come with their music in hand so that our ensemble can back them up." Hill says that instead, when High was asked what tempo he wanted to play, he thumped his heart with an open hand and said, "like this." After the audition, Hill was impressed. "He is a walking metonome who truely understands the concept of improvization, the art form which makes jazz music so unique."

High now is part of the University of Florida (UF) Marching Band which will be playing at this year's Superbowl. After his first semester at UF, he walked away with a 4.0 grade point average and "first chair" in the UF Symphonic Band, an honor rarely given to freshmen students.

His passion for music become more evident to Hill when, only days after taking final exams, High came to Fort Pierce to open up for King muDDfish and the Blue House Band during the Fort Pierce Tribune and FPJBS's December 2008 Waterside Blues Concert.

Hill explains that the FPJBS's goal is to offer more opportunities for students who love music. That is why the group gives away scholarships each year. Now is the time for students to apply for the 2009 scholarships. There is $3,000 available with a recipient receving a maximum of $1,000. Applications are due by March 1, 2009 and are available online at www.jazzandbluessociety.org under the education and outreach section. Applications receved after March 1 will not be considered.

Auditions will be held on April 8, 2009 at 8:00 pm. Scholarship applicants must prepare two songs; one ballad and one up-tempo jazz tune to be played at the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society Jazz Jam. Location to be announced. Upon arrival, applicants will list the titles of songs and the keys in which they will be played.

Founded in 1996, the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster a greater awareness and love for jazz by teaching and performing this great American art form in schools; to cooperate and correspond with other jazz-oriented groups locally and around the nation; and to assist in the organization of similar societies for the growth, appreciation, and perpetuation of jazz music.

Scholarships

In seven years, FPJS has given away more than 15 scholarships to deserved music students who plan to pursue a career in music to some degree. Only through contributions and sponsored events are we able to award scholarships to college bound students who wish to pursue music as a career. For more information on the Scholarship Program please call our hotline at (772) 460-Jazz (5299).

Download our Scholarship Application form

Music In Schools

Education is the major emphasis of what the jazz society is all about. We feel that to keep jazz music flourishing, we must work in the schools to expose young people to the history of this great american art form. The jazz society is actively involved in presenting workshops, demonstrations, master-classes, lectures and concerts to students at all levels from K through college. Since the jazz society began seven years ago, we have given more than 15 scholarships to talented music students who are pursuing a career in music.

Read what some of our participating schools had to say:

“I want to thank each of you for your part in this grand collaboration. You offered partnerships that changed how our children learn. You brought the world to our classrooms and our classrooms to the world. You were always there with your time or resources to provide whatever our students needed. On behalf of our students, I would like to thank you for providing partnership with our schools. I hope that you will continue to affect the lives of the young people in our community. You truly are changing the future of St. Lucie County by partnering with our schools today.” - Dr. Bill Vogel, Superintendent and Dr. John Carvelli, Chairman St Lucie County School Board.

“Thank you very much for taking the time to come to Village Green Elementary to perform for the children in the Extended Day Program. Your performance was excellent. The students and staff enjoyed the music. We look forward to having you return for another assembly this year” - Cathy Anderson, Extended Day Coordinator, Village Green Elementary

“I want to complement some of your members, BossaJazz . These gentlemen came to F.K. Sweet Elementary Magnet School to present Jazz to our 5th grade students today. They were great! Not only did they play some great jazz for us, but they taught our students to play a Duke Ellington piece, “C Jam Blues” on their recorders. Once the students were comfortable, they invited them up to improvise with the band. The students surprised themselves and their peers as they were able to play along making “real” Jazz music.” -Christine K. Hill, Music Specialist, F.K. Sweet Elementary Magnet School

The Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society will continue our efforts to bring jazz into our schools to teach our students the history behind Jazz and to enjoy this amazing music. For more information or to request a visit to your school, call our hotline at (772) 460-Jazz (5299).

The Annual Jazz Ball

The Jazz Ball is a formal event used to raise money for our scholarship fund. Held annually in March, offers dinner, dancing, live music, silent auction and door prizes. This event has been very successful fund raising tool for our scholarship fund over the last 3 years. For more information, please call our hotline at (772) 460-Jazz (5299).