Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) and the Jake Foerster Music Arts Fund (JFMAF) have announced a new partnership to increase awareness and reach of the existing JFMAF Scholarship Fund, and to co-present new programming creating more opportunities for students to expand their drive and expertise in the medium of sound.
The JFMAF was created in 2014 in the memory of Jake Foerster, who grew up in Snowmass Village, and had become a successful DJ prior to his passing in 2013. The fund’s goal is to award scholarships to high school graduates who show exceptional promise in the medium of sound and are committed to continuing their education. Since its inception over $40,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 13 students from Aspen and Basalt High Schools. In an effort to reach more students and expand the program to both Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, JFMAF founder EJ Foerster reached out to JAS to explore partnership.
“Between our similar Missions and connections, partnering with JFMAF makes total sense,” says Jim Horowitz, JAS President and Founder. “JAS is able to bring resources to the table to help JFMAF expand their visibility in the Valley, while JFMAF offers JAS new audiences, and additional opportunities through the scholarship program.”
Since 1993 JAS has donated over $7 million to music education in a variety of programming from private lesson funds, instrument donations, in-school faculty assistance and more.
“JAS has been the benchmark for bringing the best of music and education to our valley and communities for decades” says EJ Foerster, JFMAF Executive Director. “JFMAF is honored to be part of the JAS legacy to continue to bring strong scholarships opportunities to talented seniors through the Roaring Fork Valley.”
The organizations will be launching their partnership with the Sonic Showdown event, taking place Saturday, May 19 from 2-5pm at The Temporary in Basalt. A reincarnation of the popular JAS Band Battle, the Sonic Showdown will showcase talented Valley students in a variety of musical forms: bands, DJs, solo artists, rappers, etc. Free and open to the public, a silent auction will be held at the event to raise funds for the scholarship program. Look for more details soon!
Additional collaborations between the organizations will include a new Vino & Vinyl series, featuring nights of classic vinyl, stories, friends and wine, and a Silent Disco party to take place over Labor Day weekend. Dates and details on these events will be announced soon.
Foerster concludes, “We believe that ‘Music Never Let’s You Down’ and as a team with JAS, neither will we.”