A Message of Gratitude

Founded 30 years ago by Berklee College of Music, Berklee City Music reaches more than 60,000 students annually by using culturally relevant music to help transform young people's lives through a variety of programs and initiatives including the Berklee City Music Network, Berklee City Music Boston, and the innovative online Berklee PULSE Music Method. The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts has been a member of the Berklee City Music Network since 2008 and between 2009 and 2024, thirty one (31) PCC students have received Berklee City Music scholarships to attend Berklee's Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive, representing $153,746. Over the years, five(5) PCC students have also received full-tuition college scholarships for undergraduate studies representing $802,752.

PCC faculty have also participated in Berklee PULSE training, a resource used to enhance curricular offerings and outreach programming in public schools.

In February 2023, PCC hosted the very first #MusicallyMe workshop for students which included a series of interactive workshops geared toward preparation for college.

Every year PCC must raise $7,500 to support expenses for the scholarship students in the Berklee City Music Aspire program. Our goal is to raise $25,000 to support students for the next three years. We are grateful for the donations from The Rae -Scott & Ernest E. Jones Fund and the Grover Washington, Jr. "Protect the Dream Foundation" for supporting this year's Aspire scholarship recipients Henry Koban Payne and Nathanael Barlow.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHAMBER MUSIC AMERICA PARTNERSHIP

PCC partnered with Inwood Jazz Festival, NY and Jazz House Kids in Montclair New Jersey for a Chamber Music America (CMA)Consortium Grant. We are grateful to CMA for making the Steve Turre concert possible.

One of the world’s preeminent jazz innovators, trombonist and seashellist Steve Turre, has consistently won both the Readers’ and Critics’ polls in JazzTimes, Downbeat, and Jazziz for Best Trombone and for Best Miscellaneous Instrumentalist (shells). Turre was born to Mexican-American parents and grew up in the San Francisco Bay area where he absorbed daily doses of mariachi, blues and jazz. While attending Sacramento State University, he joined the Escovedo Brothers salsa band, which began his career-long involvement with that genre.

MUSIC EDUCATION

STUDENT END OF YEAR RECITAL

Founded by Artistic Director, Lovett Hines, PCC has established a world-class music education program. Since 1995, youth and adults participate in a broad program of private instruction, master class, ensembles, demonstrations, summer jazz camp and performances.

On June 22nd, friends and families gathered to hear our music education students show off the many skills and techniques learned throughout the year. Many thanks to our dedicated faculty who work hard to prepare our next generation of musicians and vocalists.

What does our faculty say?

Larry Price, Saxophonist, Composer, Producer, Teaching Artist:

"The Saturday program has been very encouraging. I have observed our students growing in the development of their musical skills, The recitals are awesome! The teaching staff is doing a fantastic job of preparing our students for live concert performances. 

This year's summer camp was two weeks of a fast-paced and very intense atmosphere. Our students and staff did a great job preparing the students for the recital at the end of the two weeks. 

As a teacher, my goal is to provide our students with disciplinary tools that will afford them the opportunity to create the life they want. Although music is how I will introduce these tools, the disciplinary tools themselves are applicable in any area of our student's lives. Thereby, increasing their ability to become successful not only as musicians but in any discipline they choose to pursue."

Sherry Wilson-Butler, M.Ed, Vocal Artist, Vocal Teacher/Coach, Teaching Artist:

"Who would have thought that a little girl playing teacher w/neighborhood children & singing in church while winning community talent shows in the heart of North Philadelphia would follow her journey of dreams to the Philadelphia Clef Club!"

'As a PCC Teaching Artist & Vocal Coach in the Music Education program for over 15 years, I feel that it continues to evolve & serves the community, the city & our nation on the highest level of prestige & honor. Our programs & recitals offer the greatest experiences for children, parents, & teachers alike-providing for our students a safe & caring environment with world class teachers & and an administration that continues to support the opportunities & advancements of their musical growth & development! The Philadelphia Clef Club- “A Mecca of Music!”'

David Fishkin, Saxophonist and Teaching Artist: 

'This year, my 10th as faculty at the Clef Club, has been one of the most gratifying, profound and fun experiences that I've had as an educator. Every week, I would look forward to working with ensembles for the Saturday Program: I loved bringing in some of my favorite music for my small ensemble, curated specifically for the unique personalities in the band; and I relished the opportunity to conduct and compose music for the big band.

It was hugely inspiring to see the enormous creative development that students made over the past year. I witnessed students developing their own voices and making music with maturity, sensitivity and expression. I saw students grow in remarkable ways, taking chances, and jumping head-first into deep, deep waters. I saw students whom I taught as young children become teaching assistants, and I wish them all the best continuing their studies in higher education, and always through their life-long involvement with music.

I was happy to meet many talented new musicians during the summer camp, some of whom were having their first experience of improvisation, and I hope to see them in the fall. Most importantly, I had a great time — big fun! — throughout it all."

Time flies when you're having fun! Our faculty and staff had a great time working with our camp students at our two-week intensive Summer Jazz Camp. It was obvious that our students weren't ready to put down their instruments. We look forward to seeing some returning students in the Fall.

IT JUST KEEPS GOING

We've partnered with The Mann Center!

When Naomi Gonzalez, Chief Education and Community Engagement Officer reached out to ask if PCC would be interested to be one of the seven partnering organizations for their inaugural Music Industry Apprenticeship Program - we immediately said yes! From August 5th thru August 26th a cohort of 4 high school students will "work" alongside our Audio and Visual engineers for a hands-on learning experience in sound, lighting, video and concert tech. PCC joins Philm Factory, Loud Series, World Cafe Live, Philadelphia Scenic Works, Synergetic Sound and The Mann Center for this unique opportunity to inspire young minds to consider careers on the technical side of the music industry. Stay tuned for photos in our next newsletter.

Membership at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts provides access to a vibrant community of jazz enthusiasts, musicians, educators, and industry professionals. Connect and network with like-minded individuals who share a common passion for jazz. 

For more information contact

Membership Services and Rewards

info@clefclubofjazz.org

215-893-9916

We are grateful to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania RACP Program, City of Philadelphia, The Presser Foundation, William B. Dietrich Foundation, The McLean Contributionship, and to all of our patrons for helping us towards our goal of $1.4M... but we’re not there yet. Please join our campaign today and help us grow PCC so we can continue to inspire future generations and foster collaboration among jazz musicians, educators, and audiences.