February 28, 2009 - VMA Benefit Gala Silent Auction.  Hundreds of items to bid on, live music from the VMA bands, video clips from VMA International tours, a Cash Bar, and great Japanese Cuisine make for a memorable evening supporting your favorite local non-profit.  Past auction items have included restaurant gift certificates; Redkins, Nationals, Capitals and Georgetown U tickets; theatre events at Wolf Trap, the Kennedy Center, the Folger, and the Shakespeare theatre; fine wines; and dozens of hand crafted items and gift baskets.  Be the winning bidder!  Held at the The Forum at Ernst Cultural Center on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus, the event is from 7:00 - 10:00 pm.  Tickets are $25.00 each advance sale from band members or from our online box office, while they last!  Get yours early, last year we sold out!

March 21, 2009.  Afternoon of Jazz - Join the Chapel Square Combo to enjoy three courses of fine wines and small bites at Bazin's on Church. The Chapel Square Combo will perform live jazz in a reprise of their acclaimed fall event with the magic of Chef Patrick Bazin's creations!  Limited availability advance tickets are available from band members or from our online box office and are $45.00 each ($25.00 tax deductible).

~Menu ~

Mini Crabmeat Tart

Trevor Jones Stainless Chardonnay, Australia

 

Pulled Pork with Dried Cherry

Quatro Reservia, Chilean

 

Wild Mushroom and Truffle Toast

El Malbec de Ricardo, Argentina

April 18, 2009 - Welcome Home Spring Concert - Welcome the Annandale Jazz Ambassadors home from their 10 day tour of Japan and enjoy the music they performed while traveling.  Joined by their peers from the Wakefield Wind Ensemble and the Chapel Square Combo, the annual spring concert is the culminating event of the school year season.  Held at the Ernst Theatre on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus, 8:00 - 10:00 pm.  Tickets are $10.00 each advance Sale from band members, from our online box office, or at the door while they last!

As part of a community service project for VMA, Jasmine A. Bernhardt will offer several Wednesday evening sessions on Japanese culture and language; some geared for students in AJA traveling in April, and some geared for their parents.  Check the calendar for the schedule of sessions.

Jasmine A. Bernhardt is currently a senior at HB-Woodlawn in Arlington, Virginia.  She recently returned from Japan where she was an AFS exchange student for a semester, where she lived with a Japanese host family in Taketoyo-Cho and attended Daido High School in Nagoya.   Jasmine continues her Japanese language studies at Northern Virginia Community College.

Jasmine has been studying the violin with Dr. Ernesto Farago for some 11 years.  She is currently co-concertmistress at the McLean Youth Orchestra (she traveled with MYO to Japan in 2005).  She plays her violin in and has soloed with the HB-Woodlawn orchestra, as well as a number of chamber groups.  

Jasmine’s hobbies include attending anime conventions, sewing, hanging out with family and friends, playing her violin, and studying Swedish.

February 5, 2009 - VMA Night at Jammin' Java! 7:00 pm

 

Warm  up  your  winter  blues  with  HOT  MUSIC  in  an evening fundraising concert with internationally acclaimed performers Greg Howard and Harper.

 

Greg Howard – Chapman Stick Artist: Greg was a section leader in the very first VMA band in 1980! He returns to his hometown to support VMA night at Jammin' Java!  Greg is one of the world's best known performers on this unusual American stringed instrument. His music ranges from popular songs by the Beatles, Dylan,etc, to Latin and Flamenco inspired Jazz, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Michael-Heges-style originals and true free improvisation. He has released 9 CDs on his own Espresso Record Label, as a soloist and in collaborations with Tim Reynolds, the late Leroi Moore (Dave Matthews Band), and trumpeter John D'earth, among others.

The Chapman Stick is one of only a few truly American musical instruments. It was invented by jazz guitarist Emmett Chapman as a vehicle for his Free Hands parallel two-handed tapping method. Its amplified strings are simply "tapped" by the performer’s fingertips, allowing two-part piano style arrangements with the guitar's expressiveness and sonic characteristics, and the range of bass and guitar all at once.

 

Since 1986, Howard has given over 2000 concerts on The Stick, including performances in Japan, Europe and all over North America, including two years at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

 

Harper has been described as "a singer with the deep soul of Motown, a harmonica player who can graft Sonny Boy II and Little Walter with John Popper, a songwriter who tells his own compelling stories in an unhurried, J.J. Cale-like manner, and a musical visionary who is unafraid to mix the didgeridoo, an important part of his Australian indigenous culture, with infectious modern percussive rhythms".

His skill lies in the fact that he is able to tap into the kindred spirits running through his traditional and modern influences, borrowing from western and world music to develop a highly original take on the roots genre. He also takes the harmonica beyond its assigned place.  Harper’s innovative use of electronic enhancement and feedback breaks the traditional boundaries of the harmonica, giving his music its distinctive harmonics and effects. 

Harper maintains an aggressive schedule performing over 300 live shows a year in the US, Europe, and Australia.  He recently appeared with the classic Rock band Journey on their international tour.

 

Tickets are $20.00, are tax deductible, and are available from band members, from our online box office, or at Jammin' Java.

Please join us for a relaxing afternoon of

Jazz and more…

 

Jazz by Virginia Music Adventures’ Chapel Square Combo

 

Wine and Small Bites presented by The Foxfire Grill

1st course:  Onion and Fontina Cheese Tartlette

Wolfberger Pinot Blanc , Alsace France

2nd Course: Turkey Fettucini

Manoir du Carra Cru Beaujolais, Burgundy France

3rd Course: Potato and Goat Cheese Packets

Domaine Chavy-Chouet White Burgundy , Burgundy France

4th Course: Black Forest Ham & Arborio Bites

El Ganador Malbec, Mendoza Argentina

 

November 16, 2008

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

 

Foxfire Grill

6550 Little River Turnpike

Pinecrest Shopping Center

Alexandria, VA 22312

703-914-9280

 

Space is limited 
$45.00 per person ($30.00 tax deductible)

RSVP    mterhune@verizon.net

Afternoon of Jazz

Please join us for an afternoon of jazz and seasonal fare at the Foxfire Grill.  Four wines and four small courses from Foxfire's Wine expert Teri Adamson and Chef Nadine will be accompanied by jazz interpretations from Virginia Music Adventures’ Chapel Square Combo.

 

November 16, 2008

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

 

Foxfire Grill

6550 Little River Turnpike

Pinecrest Shopping Center

Alexandria, VA 22312

703-91409280

 

 

Space is limited 
$45.00 per person ($30.00 tax deductible)

 

 

 

RSVP    mterhune@verizon.net

Ray Rogers was Middle School Band Director at Cooper Middle School in the 1970's and 1980's.  His influence on VMA is remarkable.  He taught Artistic Director Jeff Cummins in Middle School and motivated him to study jazz, introducing him to Blues Alley house pianist John Philips, a protege of John Meheegan, who coached and taught Jeff throughout his Middle and High School years. 

Later when Jeff was a Music Ed major at GMU, Ray offered him the opportunity to Intern with the Cooper jazz band.  This ultimately led to the creation of the first extracurricular jazz program, McLean Jazz Workshop in 1980. 

Ray volunteered as a sectional teacher, donated the first music stands we owned, and donated some big band charts to help us start a modest library.  Throughout the formative years of MJW (the predecessor of VMA) Ray continued to mentor Jeff in the gentle art of teaching.   In 1984, Ray insisted Jeff attend a concert at Cooper to hear a young trumpet player of promise.  Ray introduced Jeff to another students of his, Aaron Broadus.  Aaron joined Jeff's jazz band as a 12 year old, and the subsequent 30 years have led to the dynamic collaboration that is VMA today.

VMA honors Ray's legacy by creating an Internship to allow future music educators the same opportunities Jeff and Aaron enjoyed in their formative years.

Visit our Staff page to Meet Kimberly Williams, our inaugural Raymond P. Rogers Intern for VMA for the coming year.  Also meet James Ottinger, VMA Intern who will add a needed dynamic to the low brass section and to the program overall.

Please take a moment to introduce yourself to these fine future music educators and welcome them to the VMA family!

To accommodate unprecedented interest, the registration period for Virginia Music Adventures' fall programs has been extended to 5pm Thursday, October 16.

Many positions have been filled in our rolling enrollment process, but additional auditions for the few remaining openings in the Annandale Jazz Ambassadors and the Chapel Square Combo will be scheduled for Wed October 15, and if necessary Friday October 17.

Registration for remaining open positions for Wakefield Wind Ensemble will continue through October 16 as well.

The first meeting of the Wakefield Wind Ensemble has been rescheduled to Friday, October 24 when new and returning members will have the opportunity to demonstrate their scale and rudiment skills.

Chapel Square Combo will begin October 17 as previously scheduled.

  VMA practice times this fall will be the same as last year:
   
       AJA   Wednesdays 4:15 - 6:30 beginning October 15.
       CSC   Fridays        3:00 - 4:30 beginning October 17
       WWE Fridays        4:00 - 6:00 beginning October 17

VMA members from the Fall/Spring 2007/2008 program have from September 1st to September 14, 2008 to register to reserve their seats for the upcoming 2008/2009 season.

Following Preferred Registration, Open Registration for unfilled spaces will begin September 15 for prospective members.

Auditions for new members will be held by appointment between October 1 - 10.  Spaces will be offered on a "rolling" basis as qualified applicants are identified.  Audition times will be schedueld in the order their registrations are received beginning September 15.

The VMA Summer 2008 session begins Monday, June 30 and runs through July 25.  Please check the events calendar for important dates.  Click on an event listing for additional details.

Participants please send in your registration forms and tuition fees.

AJA performance at 12:00 pm at the GU Jazz Fest is on!  Join us at Copley Lawn on the campus of Georgetown University for an afternoon of Jazz.

Information on the Summer 2008 program is now on the website.  Returning member have registration prefernce until May 5. 

Returning members should submit an online registration form and registraion fee to reserve their place. 

New prospective members may submit an online registration form and registration fee, and will then be contacted to schedule an audition where necessary.

Welcome the Annandale Jazz Ambassadors home from their tour to the Rpublic of Turkey and celebrate the music of the Wakefiled Wind Ensemble and the Chapel Square Combo at this rare Monday evening concert.  Start time is 7:00 pm at the Ernst Theatre on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale campus.  Tickets available from band members, or by sending an email to jeff@vamusicadventures.org

Begin checking the Media section of the Web Site beginning March 21/22 for "postcards" from AJA in Turkey!!

Please view the Events section fo the web site for updates on WWE, CSC, and AJA events for the remainder of the session.

Join Virginia Music adventures for an exciting evening of food, drink, music, prizes, & fun!

There will be dozens of items to bid on in the Silent Auction. Enjoy sumptuous appetizers celebrating the tastes of Turkey prepared by the Annandale High School Culinary Department. Enjoy brief performances by the Wakefield wind Ensemble, the Chapel Square Combo, and the Annandale Jazz Ambasssadors as you munch and bid. An be on hand for the final drawings in the VMA 2008 Fine Dining raffle!

Location: The Forum @ Ernst Cultural Center on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.

An updated itinerary has been posted that includes information on the possible Central
European Tour.  Please CLICK HERE for information.

Rehearsals begin this week.  If you have not already, please send in your tuition and
Emergency Health Care Forms.

Also please review rehearsals policies on our FAQ page.

Reminder - AJA Rehearsal is Tuesday next week, not Wednesday.

The "Welcome Home/Spring Final Concert" has now been scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2008 at the Ernst Theater on the Annandale Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College.  Please make a note of it.

Please Click Here for Information and to Register

Pre-registration for returning musicians is underway and will continue through September 9, 2007.  Former musicians with questions should contact jeff@vamusicadventures.org.
Open registration for the Fall/Spring sessions begins on September 10, 2007.

Click Here for more information about this exciting event.

Rehearsals

• AJA rehearses daily 4:00 - 6:30 pm
• WWE rehearses daily 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Emergency Care Forms needed
If you have not done so THIS SUMMER, please turn in your emergency care form ASAP!  Emergency Care Form Click Here to download a copy.  Our insurance company requires us to collect a new form each session for each child to insure accurate health information and contact numbers.  We are not supposed to allow a student to participate without one on file.

Summer Tuition Due
Please be sure to send in your tuition payments with your students on the first day if
you have not already mailed it in.

• For AJA Fall tuition is $300
• For WWE Fall tuition is $250

Rehearsal Location
Rehearsals are held at the Little River United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River
Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.  Please consult the information board immediately
inside the main doors each week to be directed to the room we are rehearsing in - it
sometimes changes.  Remember we are guests at the church - conduct yourselves
accordingly.

A few notes about rehearsal structure during the summer
Dress in light, comfortable clothes - it is hot in the church in the summer.  Bring a snack if you need one - there are water fountains at the church.

The listed start times are anticipated down beat times.  Please arrive early enough to
set up your personal equipment and be ready to play by start time.

Similarly, listed end times are anticipated ending times.  Please be prompt in picking up.  
If you will be more than 10 minutes late please call and let us know.  We pledge
not to be more than 10 minutes late in return (except for dress rehearsals - see below)

The number to call for any emergencies or messages is 571-236-1792 to reach Steve and/or 703-477-9666 to reach Jeff.   As we can not always hear the phone during rehearsal, know that we listen to message at the break and at the conclusion of rehearsals.  

If you are running more than 15 - 20 minutes late to pick up, you may find we
have packed up and left.  Our agreement with the Church sometimes requires us to vacate.  Unclaimed children are available for pick up from Jeff's house
should you get stuck in a traffic nightmare at any time.  We will always wait at the church
for at least 15, but will in no circumstances leave students by themselves.  
Call if you're unsure where to go.

If a student can not attend a rehearsal and has made prior arrangements to be
absent or is critically ill and can not come, their music folder must still be sent in or
dropped off.  All music must be in each rehearsal each week.  Make sure to make
arrangements to send it in and get it back.

The rehearsal immediately before any performance is considered a dress rehearsal
(students do not need to wear uniforms).  Dress Rehearsals require attendance by
all musicians from beginning to end, and sometimes run over.  Be sure to plan
accordingly - there is no flexibility in this requirement.

Open Registration for VMA's Summer Programs has begun.  Auditions times for AJA and seats for open positions for WWE will be scheduled and filled on a first come basis until openings are filled.

GU Jazz Fest is On!!
Call time for AJA is 11 am.  
Noon - AJA performance
1:00 pm Georgetown U band plays (Aaron conducting),
2:00 pm Aaron's own R&B group plays with Aaron singing and Jon Laine playing drums.  
3:00 pm the Afro-Bop Alliance plays (great improv and percussion), and 4:00 pm he Navy jazz/rock band the Next Wave performs (as in all service bands, they're totally tight).

AJA Students should bring:
Khaki and blue uniform, instrument and music (we will collect at the end) clothes pins for windy music issues, a change of clothes to hang out on the lawn and enjoy the other concerts, a bag lunch or money (or both) to buy something from the GU stand (band CD's and T shirts will also be for sale), sunscreen, water.

As noted in earlier emails, there will only be a single performance for AJA this Saturday, April 28 at the Georgetown University Jazz Fest.  We will plan to stay on the GU campus and enjoy Aaron's band's performance.  Stay tuned for more details.

Current WWE and AJA members will need to re-enroll by May 15 to hold their spots.   After May 15 positions will be filled first come first come served.  Entry into AJA for new members is by competitive audition.

We will be emailing you a link by the end of the weekend.  When you follow that link you will be able to register to return.  This online registration plus your registration fee (mailed to us) will secure your spot for the summer.  Returning members do not need to audition.  Beginning May 16 we will begin filling open positions.

Summer Session:  July 9 - July 27
Rehearsals:  Daily.  WWE 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm AJA 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Location:  Little River United Church of Christ
AJA Beach Performance Tour - Weekend of July 20 - 22
Final Concert for All - July 28
Registration Fee:  $35.00
Tuition:  WWE $250/pp; AJA $300/pp
Minimums:  WWE - 12; AJA -16
Tour Fee:  Estimated at $250.00 per person