Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Educational Jazz Festival!
Increasingly, scholastic jazz ensembles across the region are finding fewer opportunities to perform, learn, and collaborate in festival settings. The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra seeks to fill this void by launching a new, non-competitive jazz festival this spring—a day dedicated to performance, education, and inspiration for students ranging from middle school to university level.
Participating ensembles will each perform a 25–30 minute set and then receive a personalized clinic with two mentors: one nationally recognized guest artist and one member of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. This hands-on experience allows students to gain invaluable feedback from seasoned professionals and to deepen their understanding of jazz as both an art form and a shared cultural language.
The day will culminate in an evening concert open to the public, featuring the guest artists performing with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. All student participants will receive free admission to this concert, creating a full-circle experience—students learning, performing, and witnessing excellence on stage.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Your contribution will directly support this transformative educational event, connecting students to the artistry, mentorship, and community that jazz uniquely provides.
$10,000 — Sponsor a pair of guest artists to teach, mentor, and perform with the CJO.
$5,000 — Sponsor the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra’s performance for the evening concert.
$1,500 — Fund a commissioned composition to be presented to each participating student group and premiered by the CJO.
$1,000 — Sponsor the CJO rhythm section to rehearse and perform with a local school.
$500 — Provide a promising CMSD student with an instrument and private lessons for a school term.
$250 — Sponsor two CJO musicians to serve as guest artists at a local school.
$125 — Sponsor a CJO musician as a guest artist at a local school.
$50 — Give five students the opportunity to attend a CJO concert.
Through this initiative, the CJO continues to strengthen its role as both a performing and educational institution—bridging professional artistry with meaningful mentorship. Together, we can inspire the next generation of jazz musicians and ensure that this uniquely American art form thrives in our schools and communities.