By Dan Leavitt

Dan Leavitt

I received a phone call from a school principal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He shared with me that the school he works at is attempting to start an instrumental music program. He obtained my number from my younger brother Tom who works with homeless and refugee families at the Denver Rescue Mission. Initially the program would consist of a band this year and then a beginning and intermediate band next year and so forth. The idea is to create a pilot instrumental music program which could be used as a model for the entire country of Cambodia and perhaps even other Southeast Asian nations. There are currently no school band programs in the entire country of Cambodia, a country that just a couple of decades ago was devastated by what has been called "the killing fields". Many of the students at the Logos School are orphans or "street" kids. I shared with Steven that I would try to get with the Denver Musicians Association to collect band instruments. The question became, how do we get the instruments to Phnom Penh. Initially the plan was to try to raise funds to have them shipped over. I didn't think that this plan would as it seemed like we would be asking musicians to double dip on the donations. Well, good news! Just a couple of days ago I heard from Jordon Fischer of Asian Hope that we can use a portion of cargo space on a medical transport airplane for no charge. The plain will be need to loaded on June 18 which means that this instrument drive will need to be done NOW! It is my desire to see the our many friends and collegues of the Denver Musicians step up to this amazing cause. The school is hoping to receive donated brass, woodwind and percussion instruments in playing condition (there are no instruments repair shops in Cambodia). Other needs includes items such as pads, valve oil, wire stands, etc. and the Essential Elements 2000 method books. I would ask that if you feel able to participate in this amazing project please bring your instruments to the DMA office at 1165 Delaware St. Denver, CO or call Dan Leavitt for pick up. DMA office hours are 9 AM to 4 PM, Mon thru Wed. 
     We don't have a lot of time for the drop off so please consider this in the next few days.

Please pass this info on to your music students and friends.
Thank you,

Dan Leavitt
303-693-2183
dan@leavittmusicservice.com

     I refer to beautiful stress balls that have been distributed throughout the United States of America, specifically at Veterans' Administration Hospitals and similar locations.

     These balls are beautifully imprinted with red, white & blue background and then with "DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS" imprinted along with a toll-free telephone number and a statement regarding the courage it takes for a Warrior to ask for help.  (I think that statement is in reference to those of us who served in the Military and might be experiencing difficulties coping with the effects of our service.)

So what?  Guess where they're made.  Yep.  That's right; these balls are made in China! 
      It is an insult to those who fought and died for the Freedoms we enjoy here in the United States of America.  You've heard the quote:  "For those who fought for it, Freedom has a taste the protected will never know!"

     We obviously cannot go backwards in time to correct the past.  The best resolution moving forward is to let our Veterans know whether or not we as a Country care about them and their employment situation. 
      There are companies here in America that would be happy to manufacture these balls.  I'm certain that these companies would hire Veterans. These companies - right here in the United States - would be proud to not only hire Veterans, but would be even more proud to know that they have helped Veterans who others might consider to be handicapped.
      Think about what a wonderful message we SHOULD be shouting.  "Because the United States of America actually intends to keep its word to the Veterans of Military Service, we will insist that first hiring priorities will go to Companies within the United States of America.  These companies will receive even more 'priority' when they hire Veterans.  Still more 'priority' will be assigned to them if those Veterans happen to have a Service-Connected disability. Companies who do not manufacture within the USA will not be considered a resource for items that could have and should have been manufactured in the USA! This is without regard to whether or not the 'bottom line' seems to be cheaper. That 'bottom line' is NEVER cheaper when it creates an increase in unemployment of Americans.  That statement becomes even stronger when you consider the employment situation of our Nation's Veterans!
      As a Viet Nam Veteran, a Member of the DAV, NABVETS, the American Legion, a lifetime Member of the VFW, and a true American Patriot; I am appalled and sickened by the situation as it currently stands.  
      One of the items that you might want to consider is to ask your Senators and Congressmen to continue funding the wonderful program called Helmets to Hardhats.  This is a program that assists our Service Members in their transition from Military to Civilian life.  It helps them find a career pathway.  Another item to consider is to donate your time and/or some Dollars to help Homes For Our Troops.  This fine organization builds special-needs homes for some of our returning veterans who have been severely injured in combat.
      Paying attention to the problems facing our Veterans, and helping to put America back to work in order to start repairing our economy are the two most important issues facing our Country today.

Audition is for Concertmaster: Interim Position 1-2 years (1 year minimum) with the possibility of a permanent appointment. Candidates need to submit a cover letter and resume to the personnel manager via email.
The deadline to submit the cover letter and resume is June 1, 2010

Preliminaries: Monday, June 14, 2010 7:00 pm
Finals: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 7:00 pm
Foundation Hall
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, Colorado
Click Here for more Info

By Jude Hibler
Jazz writer, author, photographer, and concert and CD producer

Jude Jibler

Over the last few months, Dale Bruning and I have been hard at work redesigning our website: www.jazzlinkenterprises.com. We will be adding new features - one of the most interesting to all of you musicians, especially guitarists out there, will be online teaching videos of Dale. This will be happening towards the end of 2010.

We are also working on nature photo shows with Dale's original music. I'll be adding photo galleries of jazz musicians whose pictures I have taken over the past 20 years. Selected audio clips from interviews I took will also be heard. People like Dale Bruning, Dave Brubeck, Peggy Lee, Tony Bennett, Jim Hall, Benny Carter, Benny Golson, James Moody, and so many others I interviewed for various publications will be included at our website.

Of course, birthdays are listed. If you are a professional musician - that is, you make your living playing and /or teaching music or are otherwise involved in the music profession - like writers, radio hosts, authors - and want to be included in our birthday listings, send me your name, date of birth (the year MUST be included in order to qualify), place of birth, instruments you play, and whether you are a composer, arranger, lyricist, or other music-related participant, and I will include you into our list under "Jazz Birthdays."

Jude Hibler

Upcoming Performances

We are excited to introduce the Greater Boulder Youth Orchetras, the premiere youth orchestra experience in the greater Boulder area!