02.01.2010 PERFORMANCES AND PRESENTATIONS FOR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND ORGANIZATIONS Concert and Cultural Presentations Concert and Cultural presentations are provided to schools, colleges and organizations for participants of all ages, musical and academic levels. It is a "Cross Cultural" experience merging American Jazz and African Jazz & Rhythms. This combination creates and displays a fusion of cultures and a musical message that transcends boarders of music and education. Discussions, Lectures and Deonstrations can be provided for classroom and Lecture Hall presentations. For more detailed information, please contact sax@rayblue.com Comments: "Ray helps the audiences better understand and connect to the music. A Ray Blue concert is a seamless combination of education and entertainment....... each time he plays here he leaves us wanting more". Teel Salaun Director, College Relations Cultural Affairs Committee Mount Mercy College "The boys and girls in our racially diverse neighborhood school listen earnestly to Mr. Blue....his stories and his great music......he tells them that they can do anything with their lives that they set their minds to. They look up to him as a mentor and a friend who they can count on...." Damon Cole, Music Director Johnson School of The Arts Cedar Rapids, Iowa " Ray Blue delivers a strong message to students in music and words.... A performer who can keep kindergartners glued to their seats for 90 minutes has an incredible talent....Our students loved Ray Blue's music. They felt it inside of themselves and you could see the proof on their faces and in their reactions..... Students gained insight not only into the world of jazz, but also into themselves... Ray Blue's musical message, as well as his beliefs about respect for ourselves and others, hit the mark with our students". Nancy Raw, Principal Van Buren Elementary School Cedar Rapids, Iowa "Ray gave wonderful presentations at a number of our offsite teaching programs in the Chicago schools. He worked equally effectively with different aged audiences ranging from 2nd grade to high school and piqued the students' imaginations and curiosity with his words about the saxophone and music. Ray treated all to his beautiful and lyrical playing, performing both familiar favorites as well as giving the children a taste of jazz improvisation. It was definitely a special day for those of our students who were lucky enough to hear him and we can't wait for his next visit to Chicago!!" Betsy Ko Bridges: Partners in Music Director Merit School of Music Contact: ray@rayblue.com or sax@rayblue.com DOWNLOAD PROGRAM 02.01.2010 EMPOWERMENT-ARTS MARKETING Empowerment and Arts Marketing Description: This course is designed to empower the student and to help him/her find his/her strengths as an artist. The students will learn how to experience their art as a success factor and as a personal business. The course is a co-facilitated balanced and blended training approach that partners empowerment and arts marketing skills awareness and development and helps the student to envision, plan and create a successful personal and artistic marketing package. Definitions: Empowerment - A process for developing the necessary personal, artistic and proactive tools which promote, enhance and sustain significant qualities needed in the music business. Marketing - Planning and executing the conception and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy the individual and organizational objectives. Key Aspects of the Course: Comprehensive - delivers diversely blended training content. Challenging - training content that is engaging and stimulates the participants’ artistic, personal and marketing skills. Applicable - each lesson is designed so that what is learned can be directly applied to practical situations. Flexibility - addresses the learning styles, needs and levels of motivation of the students Retention = Success Goals: - Students will learn to identify their beliefs, values and goals - Students will learn to define their strengths and needs for being productive and successful - Students learn how to look at their art as a business - Students learn to design a marketing plan - Students learn to use different marketing tools Methodology: - Lecture; Interactive discussions, demonstrations and computer simulations (when appropriate) - Group activities - Individual and group presentations - Role playing - Problem solving exercises and activities - Project on-site classes, site visitations (when feasible and appropriate) - Guest speakers Please Note: This training if offered in two, three or four day sessions. 02.01.2010 SAXOPHONE WORKSHOP/MASTER CLASS FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES Saxophone Workshop/Master Class This workshop provides students at all levels with instruction and an information base that will strengthen and improve their musicianship and performance skills. Students will learn about the relationship between instrument and musician, theory, practicing, exploration, improvisation, repertoire and performance. Group and private instruction are available. Comments: "Lets do another clinic in May because the guys that did it this time went to back to school just talking and bragging about how much they learned and how much better they're playing". Alex Kenosha, Wis. Contact: ray@rayblue.com or sax@rayblue.com 02.01.2010 BIG BAND/ENSEMBLE WORKSHOP Big Band/Ensemble Workshop This workshop develops students’ awareness and understanding of band/ensemble playing. It provides tools and insights that help them to be stronger and more cohesive band/ensemble players. The workshop serves as an entree for utilizing the basic principles of ensemble work and collective music making. This workshop well serves jazz, funk, fusion and varied contemporary bands/ensembles. Topics focused on are listening, site reading, interpretation, improvisation and leading a band/ensemble. Material: Compositions and arrangements are primarily selected and provided by the Music Director/Instructor. This workshop is available in; one hour, two hour, half day, full day or two day sessions. It can also be utilized for specific performance preparation. Comments: "You were able to inspire the students to play musically and with finesse, and to rise above their technique to really feel the music. The faculty and I all felt that your emphasis on that was truly grasped by our young musicians...... One of our students later mentioned to his teacher that yours was one of the best master class sessions he had the privilege of participating in!" Karen Deschere, President Wisconsin Conservatory of Music "... I appreciate the week you spent working with the kids in the MHSA Jazz program..... Sharing the stage with a musician of your caliber was an experience they will never forget. You are not only a wonderful musician but a gifted educator as well....Your generosity with your time was also greatly appreciated...The kids haven`t stopped talking about the concert, the clinics or any other parts of your visit and neither have I.....I look forward to our paths crossing again." Douglas W. Syme Director of Jazz Education Milwaukee HS of the Arts "...our deepest appreciation for your valued participation as a music educator, lecturer, teacher and performer in our community and school outreach "Jazz Alive" Program. Over the past eight years your skills, talent and musical insight offer an enriched contribution to our cultural and educational vision and mission." Daoud-David Williams, Director Spirit of Life Cultural Arts, Inc. Jersey City, New Jersey "Blue teaches our students about 'happy playing' - to enjoy the music first, and then conquer the technique......"Blue teaches how to view music from a different angle..... Playing with him enables students to express their utmost feelings..... Blue emphasizes the importance of musicians' connecting with their instrument and with the music..... an interdependence on each other as well as their connection with the audience. Zhang Fan, Head Master Beijing Midi Music School Beijing, China Contact: ray@rayblue.com or sax@rayblue.com 02.01.2010 SAXOPHONE WORKSHOP/MASTER CLASS Saxophone Workshop/Master Class "Series" This workshop/master class is a series of sessions that meets bi-monthly. It is designed for students, hobby musicians and aspiring professionals who wish to improve their skills, gain more confidence and performance experience. The series provides students with the opportunity to address and work on specific concerns on technique, theory, melodic and harmonic concepts as well as improvisational practices utilizing play along CDs. At times a live rhythm section will be used. Participants receive instruction, encouragement and support as they move through the process. Availability: This workshop is available in various international locations. Let’s organize a series in your area. See contact information. Comments: Ray, "Thanks for the workshop, again; I really enjoyed it and I´ll very much endeavour to follow your advice as regards relaxing and promise not to give up :-)) building on your patience." Manfred Munich Hello Ray, "...thank you! Your workshop helped me to find my lost fun to make music! In my opinion the contact between a teacher and the pupils is not unimportant - in my last workshop (another teacher) I lost my fun!" Regards, nice to meet you too! Barbara Munich Contact: ray@rayblue.com or sax@rayblue.com sax@rayblue.com