Calling all Douglas County 4-H jazz musicians!

Hello Douglas County 4-H community,

The state 4-H office is seeking 4-H member talent from across the state to form a 4-H jazz band to play for the 2009 Colorado 4-H Gala that will be held on October 3 at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

A flyer with more information and an audition form were both emailed to all of you on Wednesday, March 11. Jeramy McNeely, Cheyenne County 4-H agent, has volunteered to provide leadership toward this effort. If there are other 4-H agents or volunteer leaders who would like to be involved, just let Jeff Goodwin, State 4-H Program Leader, know at 970-491-1152 or by email at jeff.goodwin@colostate.edu.

If the state has sufficient response to the talent call by the May 1 deadline, they will have a 4-H Jazz Band audition and practice session at State 4-H Conference in June. If things go well at the practice session and the group shows promise, they will schedule another practice session some time during state fair with a possibility of other practice sessions along the way.

The short term goal for this jazz band is to perform at the 2009 Gala. A possible long term goal might be for such a musical group to be the start of an ongoing and expanding Colorado 4-H performing arts troupe such as the Clovers and Company 4-H performing arts group in Georgia. The Clovers and Company 4-H performing arts group has been in existence for more than 25 years and has spawned such talent as Jennifer Nettles of the group Sugarland. Check out their website at http://www.georgia4h.org/public/edops/cloversandcompany/.

Jeff has spoken with the state 4-H leader in Georgia about the structure and implementation for such an effort. The positive youth development, as well as the public relations potential that might come from this effort, could prove to be significant for the Colorado 4-H program.

So once again, Jeff is calling on county staff and volunteers to see if this idea can take flight. Let him know if you have any questions or suggestions.