Western Australian SectionAnnual Report 2006Introduction This year the events we have been involved in were the G7 Jazz Improvisation Project and The Schools Jazz Ensemble Festival, both of which were rewarding and well patronised events, and also the SIM Teacher Development day. The year also saw a renewed emphasis on the promotion of Sisters in Jazz in Perth metropolitan schools. IAJE has also been invited to organise a Jazz Track as part of the 2007 ASME National Conference to be held in Perth. The Schools Jazz Ensemble Festival This was again held in the auditorium at Churchlands SHS and attracted thirty seven bands and combos. The Saturday afternoon, all day Sunday format again worked well. The event ran very smoothly and thanks must go to Paul Duhig for his organisational expertise and to the IAJE committee members and SIM staff who assisted over the weekend. The adjudication duties were very capably handled by Pat Crichton and Graeme Wood who, as in keeping with past years, provided both written and recorded comments for each band. Brian Copping once again handled the on stage announcing duties with practised ease. As with past festivals, the majority of the ensembles were bands, however the standard of the combos which performed was very good. Mention must also be made of the outstanding standard of performance demonstrated by the Combined Schools Band which was coordinated by Brian Copping and directed by Tim Forster, Bob Benton and Lindsay Timms. Congratulations to all concerned. The adjudicators were again very impressed with the continuing improvement in performance standards and also noted the improvement in choice of repertoire for all ensembles. This year’s awards were again sponsored by Theo’s Musical Instruments with The Drum Shop again contributing a special drummers’ award. The Jazz Club of WA again provided an award for the best Dixieland band. As with last year’s festival, all bands were recorded. A first for this festival was the provision for bands to be professionally photographed, which proved to be a welcome addition to the proceedings. The provision of additional on stage sound reinforcement equipment was also a good move as it improved the overall sound quality of the event. The G7 Project The G7 Project ran over a reduced time period this year, that being the first five weeks of term three. Numbers were up on last year with seventeen participants, including one vocalist, and all students enjoyed the workshops and felt that they had improved their improvisatory skills. The participating students came from six different schools, all bar one being government schools. As with 2005, almost half the students were from the same school. By keeping the number of paid tutors to a minimum, we were able to make the event cost effective. The project finished with a performance for the parents of the participating students and it was encouraging to have unanimous recognition of the value of the project from both students and parents. Website The IAJE Australasia website at iaje.com.au continues to be an important link with the musical community and contains news and information pertaining to the events IAJE is involved in. The running of the website has been taken over by Saul Richardson in Sydney. Sisters In Jazz This year has seen Sisters In Jazz re-emerge as an important part of our promotion of jazz in metropolitan secondary schools. This is largely due to the efforts of Linda Oh who, with advice and assistance from Brian Copping, has actively promoted her Sisters In Jazz band for workshops and performances in, predominantly, the girls’ private schools in the Perth metropolitan area. The response to this initiative has been positive and it is hoped that more workshops and performances will be undertaken in 2007. With Linda’s departure to the US for study purposes, her coordinating role is being undertaken by Victoria O’Neill. ASME Conference Jazz Track Members of the IAJE committee are working with ASME members as a sub committee to organise a Jazz Track for the 2007 ASME Regional Conference to be held in Perth in July. We have been liaising with a US trio led by Shelley Berg for workshops and a concert performance at the conference and also workshops and performances at local schools and also the PJS. James Morrison has also been confirmed as a presenter for two workshops, which should also be a big attraction for conference participants. The next stage will be to finalise acts for the conference jazz concert and also to confirm more workshop topics and presenters. Conclusion In conclusion, I would like to formally recognise the efforts of Brian Copping for his continued leadership and support, and also the members of the committee, Jeremy Greig, Tim Forster, Michael Cartwright, Tim Simpson and Linda Oh for their hard work and dedication in promoting and nurturing Jazz Education. Thanks go especially to Tim Forster and Jeremy Greig for their efforts as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. It has been a rewarding experience for me as President these last two terms and I have enjoyed working with like-minded people for the advancement of jazz education in WA. In stepping down from this position I look back on four years in which the WA committee has taken the initiative and actively assisted in promoting events which have enriched the experience of performing and enjoying jazz for so many young musicians. I trust that that will continue for many years to come. Bruce Culver
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