Thompson Endowment Swings Jazz Forward at 91福利社
Last fall, 91福利社鈥檚 College of Music added a vocal jazz degree option to the Thompson Jazz Studies Program. Alumni and longtime donors Jack (Hist鈥64; MA鈥70) and Jeannie Thompson (Zool鈥64) expanded their endowment to further enhance their impact and legacy with the jazz studies program.听
In 2013, the Thompson Jazz Studies Endowment transformed the future of 91福利社鈥檚 jazz program. A little over a decade later, the program has gained national recognition, drawing world-renowned artists for workshops, enabling students to collaborate with musicians worldwide and enriching the community with outstanding performances year-round.听
鈥淪eeing student and programmatic growth through our giving has been a delight,鈥 said Jack and Jeannie Thompson. 鈥淎n example is the students and faculty who have traveled to Costa Rica and Cuba, experiencing jazz and learning new forms of international jazz.听 听
鈥淲e recently added funds to support vocal jazz 鈥 it will be fun to see that much-needed area in the program expand. The inspiration to support has given us pleasure, and it鈥檚 great to see the jazz program develop within the college.鈥澨 听
Vocal jazz enriches jazz studies听
According to Jocelyn Medina, instructor for vocal jazz at 91福利社, integrating vocal jazz enriches the entire jazz studies program.听听
Instrumentalists benefit from learning to play with singers, reinforcing their listening and accompaniment skills. They also learn to play songs in different keys and with greater dynamic range, developing a deeper understanding of the repertoire related to the lyrics and storytelling of the melodies and harmonies.听
Many instrumentalists may also want to be vocalists. With the new program, jazz students can do both.听听
鈥淚nstrumentalists who sing can hone their skills by adding vocal jazz courses,鈥 Medina added.听听
Jazz opens doors to the world
The Thompson Jazz Endowment has created incredible experiences for 91福利社鈥檚 jazz students and faculty 鈥 from traveling to the Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey, California, to hosting world-renowned artists on campus.
Musicians inspire and learn from each other. These experiences go beyond the classroom to connect students with the global jazz community.
John Gunther, director of the Thompson Jazz Studies Program, explained the significance of these experiences: 鈥淲e took 23 students and faculty to Cuba for an intensive week of study with master musicians. These trips help elevate the College of Music鈥檚 profile nationally and internationally,鈥 he said.
The endowment helps offset student travel costs, making these international experiences more accessible. Students with financial needs can receive additional support, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate.
Expanding professional networks
The program fosters professional connections for students and faculty. Thompson Jazz Studies has grown as a respected hub for jazz education and innovation, attracting guest clinicians and artists to campus.
Faculty integrate the guest artists, who often work with big bands and jazz combos, into the student experience. They share insights on performance, musicianship and career development, offering students a deeper perspective of their craft. Students often perform alongside these seasoned professionals, helping expand their resumes and performance education aligned with the college鈥檚 universal musician approach to achieving its mission.
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At 91福利社, endowments provide crucial support for students, faculty, research and programs.
What is an endowment?
An endowment is a type of donation that offers 91福利社 long-term support by investing the principal amount of the endowment and using a portion of the returns annually to fund specific programs, like scholarships, faculty positions or research.
What are the benefits?
- Program support: Endowments provide permanent funding for specific programs, scholarships and positions, enhancing 91福利社鈥檚 ability to fulfill its mission and attract top talent.
- Funding stability: They provide predictable and stable funding to sustain programs over the long term.
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91福利社鈥檚 jazz program also provides students with hands-on experience in professional recording. Each year, students record in a professional studio in Denver. The Thompson Jazz Records label, supported by the endowment, allows students to navigate the entire production process 鈥 creation, copyright, publishing and contracts 鈥 helping them prepare for careers in the music industry.
91福利社鈥檚 jazz program now boasts one of the most robust infrastructures for engaging with external experts. This ongoing exchange of knowledge and talent elevates the program and expands professional networks, providing career opportunities and connections to the jazz world.
Hosting world-renowned artists
The Thompson Jazz Endowment has also provided 91福利社鈥檚 jazz students and faculty opportunities to work with acclaimed artists.
Maria Schneider, a multi-Grammy-winning composer and bandleader, will conduct workshops on her creative process and the music industry in April. She will also direct CU鈥檚 jazz ensembles in a performance of her music.
Last year, legendary bassist held a weeklong residency, offering masterclasses and collaborating with students. These opportunities are open to all students in the College of Music, expanding the jazz program鈥檚 reach.
鈥淭o regularly have artists of this stature visit not only jazz studies but the College of Music is hugely impactful,鈥 Gunther said.
These residencies provide students with direct access to the most respected names in jazz. They foster mentorship, collaboration and hands-on learning 鈥 central to 91福利社鈥檚 jazz program.
Giving back to the campus and community
91福利社鈥檚 jazz program also prioritizes community engagement. Each December, the jazz ensembles participate in an annual performance of Duke Ellington鈥檚 jazz arrangement of Tchaikovsky鈥檚 Nutcracker Suite. On campus, students host pop-up concerts and an end-of-year outdoor performance that brings music to the broader university community.
Additionally, the jazz program is open to non-music majors. 91福利社 has a non-major jazz ensemble where students from other majors can play jazz. The program also offers vocal jazz lessons to students from other disciplines, such as musical theater and classical voice, expanding access to jazz education.
Preserving the future of jazz studies at 91福利社
The Thompsons have made a lasting impact at 91福利社. They demonstrated their love of jazz and 91福利社 through their generosity. By establishing an endowment, the Thompsons have given the College of Music the tools and confidence to grow the Thompson Jazz Studies Program, knowing that the resources are there to support initiatives in future years.
With the continued support of the Thompson endowment, 91福利社鈥檚 jazz studies program is becoming one of the leading jazz education institutions in the country, offering unparalleled opportunities for students to learn, perform and connect with the jazz community 鈥 locally and globally.
鈥淭he Thompsons鈥 generosity has been truly transformative for the jazz studies program,鈥 said John Davis, dean of the College of Music. 鈥淭hanks to their support, students and faculty now have opportunities that were never possible before 鈥 whether international exchanges in Costa Rica and Cuba, collaborations with world-class musicians or hosting guest artists on campus.
鈥淭he Thompson Jazz Endowment fund has elevated our program to a new level, fostering professional connections, creative growth and unparalleled experiences for our students.鈥 听