And the Winner Is

he Recording Foundation’s Grammy Academy is in the Schools offerings. best known for The Gibson Foundation T producing music’s and the Ford Motor biggest night, the Grammy Company Fund continue to gen- Awards, but what many people erously sponsor Grammy Signature don’t know is that the Recording Schools, and Grammy Camp is spon- Academy is a membership organiza- sored in part by Converse and Epiphone. tion of music professionals with chapters Over the past three years, approximately 70 across the country working hard for their percent of campers who applied for financial aid music communities on an agenda of education, received assistance. advocacy, professional development, and human “The Grammy Foundation connects young people services. Many music professionals in don’t real- with artists and industry professionals through Grammy ize that the Grammys are right here in our backyard, in in the Schools programs that offer real-world insights into downtown Austin, Texas. careers in the music business,” said , President/ The Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy produces CEO of the Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation. programs and events to help support the needs of Texas Chapter “Whether you are a singer/ attending Grammy Camp, members, consisting of professionals from music a band member at a school awarded a Grammy Signature Schools educators to producers and engineers, musicians, grant, or an instrumentalist spending Grammy Week in Los directors, and more. Additionally, the Texas Chapter partners Angeles as a member of the Grammy Ensembles, our pro- with the Grammy Foundation, an affiliate of the Recording grams offer students unique experiences that can help guide their Academy, that focuses on music culture preservation and edu- musical futures.” cation to provide unique opportunities for students interested in a career in music. At a glance, the Texas Chapter provides Grammy Jazz Ensembles career workshops, panels, behind-the-scenes looks at , High school singers and instrumentalists (public, private, up-close-and-personals with top music artists, and more. parochial, home-schooled, etc.) are encouraged to audition for the The Texas Chapter, along with the Grammy Foundation, is Grammy Jazz Ensembles. Selectees will receive an all-expenses- looking to music educators around the state to get their students paid trip to , the host city for the . and music programs involved. The Academy provides multiple Students participate in high-profile Grammy Week performances activities, events, and programs each year in which your students and recording sessions and will attend the Grammy telecast. have the chance to participate. Students are also eligible for college scholarships through the col- lege incentive program (more than $2 million available) offered Grammy in the Schools by program partners Berklee College of Music, USC Thornton The Grammy Foundation accepts applications each year School of Music, the New School for Jazz and Contemporary for Grammy Camp, Grammy Jazz Ensembles, and Grammy Music, and Manhattan School of Music. Auditions for the Signature Schools programs. These programs are part of the 2011 Grammy Jazz Ensemble are due by October 22. Go to

30 Southwestern Musician | August 2010 www.GrammyInTheSchools.com to offers 10 tracks: audio engineering; con- The Texas Chapter’s newest educa- download the application. cert promotion/production; electronic tional initiative to help ensure the pres- The school of each selectee will music production; ; and ence of arts education in the schools is our receive a professional cymbal courtesy performance tracks in bass, drums, guitar, Speakers Bureau. Music industry profes- of the Zildjian Company. The Grammy and keyboard; songwriting; and winds sionals donate their time to speak to your Jazz Ensembles program receives addi- and strings. All tracks culminate in media classes about careers in the music indus- tional support from the projects, CD recordings, and/or showcase try. These key professionals are members Charitable Foundation, SmartMusic, performances. of the Recording Academy and influential Zildjian, Capitol Recording Studios (EMI in the Texas music community. Speakers Music), and Guitar Center Hollywood. Grammy U Bureau members aid in the education The Recording Academy has an orga- of students by providing personal testi- Grammy Signature Schools nization called the Grammy University monies about what it takes to make it in The Grammy Foundation’s Grammy Network, a.k.a. Grammy U, for college the music industry as well as how pursu- Signature Schools program recognizes and university students interested in pur- ing a career in music is always a positive top public high schools across the coun- suing careers in music. Each chapter’s endeavor. try for outstanding commitment to their program is led by a Grammy U student The Recording Academy is an entity of programs. For several representative and a team of campus people who truly care about music. From years, Texas schools have been awarded ambassadors who communicate directly its members to its staff, the Academy is these high honors and presented grants with the chapter staff about the students’ dedicated to keeping music alive in our to their music programs. Each Grammy needs and desires. University students communities and in our schools. The Signature School receives a custom across Texas are active members in this Texas Chapter’s hope is that more schools award and a monetary grant to benefit organization. The program offers men- will explore the extraordinary oppor- its music program. The top programs are torships, internships, and performance tunities created for their students and designated Gold recipients and the best opportunities, as well as access to top supported by Texas Chapter staff, mem- of the Gold recipients is designated the music industry professionals. The organi- bers, and the Grammy Foundation. For National Grammy Signature School. In zation has proven to be a great success in more information about the Recording 2009, Arlington’s own Martin HS was taking college students to the next level in Academy, visit grammy365.com. To get the recipient of the National Grammy their career endeavors. connected with the Texas Chapter, email Signature School designation and Grammy U student members are now [email protected] or call the office at awarded $10,000. The remaining Gold working in the studio with legendary (512) 328-7997 and discover how you can schools each received $5,000. producers and engineers, taking the hard- get involved as an educator and an indus- In the Enterprise Award category, to-get entry-level positions at top PR and try professional.  which recognizes efforts made by schools marketing firms, getting signed to record that are economically underserved, up labels Atlantic Records, and more. to six schools receive grants of $5,000 each. The band, choir, and orchestra pro- Texas Chapter Supports Music grams of Jefferson HS in San Antonio Education in Our State were proud recipients of a 2010 Grammy In addition to the Grammy in the Enterprise Award presented to them in Schools programs, each year the Texas an awards ceremony on May 24. This Chapter and the Grammy Foundation story’s headline image features Grammy present Grammy Career Day. The Foundation Senior Director David Sears Chapter selects a Texas high school music presenting the Grammy to Jefferson HS program and brings in top music indus- students Quinton Sanders and Selina try professionals to lead workshops and Serna. panels in their school for a day of fun and The remaining Grammy Signature career exploration. At the end of the day, Schools recipients each receive a grant the chapter treats the students to a live award of $1,000 to benefit their music performance by a popular radio hit band programs. or performer. Another program the Texas Chapter Grammy Camp presents with the Foundation is Grammy Grammy Camp offers selected high SoundChecks. Year round, the Academy school students an interactive summer works with notable touring artists and music experience. Focusing on all aspects organizes an event that allows 30–50 select of commercial music, this unique opportu- high school music students to attend the nity provides instruction by industry pro- performers’ sound check, get a backstage fessionals in an immersive creative envi- tour of the production setup, and a per- ronment with cutting-edge technology sonal question and answer session with Comment on this article: in professional facilities. The program the artist(s) after the sound check. tmea.org/features

32 Southwestern Musician | August 2010 Texas Chapter Board members Rodney Alejandro, Michael Mordecai, and Gilbert Velasquez conduct an improv jam session with students at Brackenridge HS in San Antonio.

Why Apply?

Director Ronnie Sanders offered his perspective on Jefferson HS receiving the Grammy Signature Schools award. The application deadline for 2011 Grammy Signature Schools is October 22. Go to www.GrammyInTheSchools.com to download the application. What motivated you to apply? I have always been a fan of the Grammys and knew about the Grammy Foundation’s recognition to high schools across the country. Last September I thought Jefferson High School should apply, so I did.

What is the significance of receiving this award? Jefferson High School is a unique campus; we’ve been on the cover of Life maga- zine, featured in a National Geographic layout, and included in numerous Hollywood movies. This Grammy award will continue the legacy of excellence in music educa- tion that Jefferson has for its students.

What was the reaction of your administrators/students/community on receiving the award? For some, at first, they thought it was a joke, or thought it wasn’t a “real” Grammy award; but when the Grammy award, now proudly displayed in our school’s case, was presented, everyone knew it was a real Grammy for Jefferson’s choir, band and orchestra students and faculty.

Southwestern Musician | August 2010 33