Youth Programs

In 1996, the mission of Redwood Coast Music Festivals was expanded to include the support and promotion of youth music education. We have pursued this goal of educating our area’s young people about the rich heritage and traditions of American Jazz through a number of programs. To date, $69,000 has been donated to programs that benefit youth music education.

We produce two Children’s Concerts during our Spring Jazz Festival. Teachers in Humboldt County schools are invited to bring their students to a free concert featuring Jazz and Zydeco music. We are able to provide this opportunity to approximately 2,400 children each year.

For the past five years, we have sponsored jazz clinics, workshops, and concerts in our area schools. A presentation on the History of Jazz and concerts featuring accomplished musicians are provided to all of the children in a school. Specialized instruction in technique and theory is given to music students. We have been assisted in these efforts by Humboldt Area Foundation, the McLean Foundation and Soroptomists International of Eureka.

Through the generosity of Smith Barney Inc. of Eureka and the Citigroup Foundation we have been able to sponsor jazz clinics for High School youth in collaboration with Humboldt State University. This collaboration resulted in the establishment of the "Smith Barney Allstars" who were featured performers at our tenth anniversary festival. In 2000, we received grant funding from the Citigroup Foundation to produce new jazz clinics that benefited both middle and high school students. Funds received from these two corporate sponsors have also allowed us to purchase musical instruments for elementary, middle and high schools in our community providing students, who might not otherwise be able to, an opportunity to study music. Helping us to truly Give the Gift of Music!

Contributions to Youth Programs: