Enjoy 8 Weeks of Free Jazz Performances with new Youth Concert Showcase Series
Applications to perform are now open!
The Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival has always been committed to providing extraordinary opportunities for youth and emerging jazz artists to advance their skills, perform for engaged audiences and connect with new fans.
We're proud to announce we are taking things a step further with our new Youth Concert Showcase Series. Presented by the Tony Quo Vadis Foundation and in partnership with the Langley Heritage Society, the series is now open for applications from secondary and post-secondary jazz bands!
The Youth Concert Showcase Series – in addition to our Rising Star Jazz Award and Youth & Emerging Artists Stage at the annual festival – are important in fostering development and growth for young musicians enthralled with jazz music and excited to progress in the jazz industry.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for young jazz artists to perform and for the community to hear up and coming talent,” says Dave Quinn, Festival Artistic Director and Co-Founder. “Young musicians in secondary and post-secondary will be able to share their music, connect with new audiences, build up their names and gain festival experience.”
Series details and performances
The Youth Concert Showcase Series will occur every Sunday afternoon between 1 - 3pm over eight weeks between May 26 and July 14, 2024 in the picturesque gardens of the Fort Langley Heritage CNR Station, operated by the Langley Heritage Society. The concerts are free and will include art exhibits showcasing the work of local artists and guided tours of the restored CNR train station that dates back to 1915!
“Jazz and local heritage make for a perfect combo,” says Mark Forsythe, Vice-President of the Langley Heritage Society. “The Langley Heritage Society is excited to co-host this special youth concert series at the CNR Station where you can listen to great jazz tunes from tomorrow’s stars, and explore our historic station, rail cars, and relax in the heritage gardens. See you at the station!”
Kicking off the series on May 26 will be performances from the junior and senior bands and jazz combos from Langley Fine Arts School (LFAS).
Langley Fine Arts School Senior Jazz Band
“We are excited to be part of the jazz festival’s new Youth Concert Showcase Series,” says Mark Lainchbury, LFAS senior jazz band teacher. “This will be a wonderful opportunity for the students to share their music on an outdoor stage with jazz lovers.”
“Our jazz bands will be performing music covering the full spectrum of jazz repertoire, including swing, Latin, rock, and funk,” he adds. “They will play works by legendary jazz composers like Count Basie and contemporary composers who are writing great music today.”
Bringing even more music to the Fort Langley community
“We are thrilled that this new showcase series will bring even more music and art enjoyment to the greater Fort Langley community,” says Quinn. “We encourage people to bring a lawn chair or blanket, soak in the talent of up-and-coming jazz bands, peruse the unique art exhibits, and learn more about Langley's rich history of the historic train station. “
If selected for the series, bands will be featured in festival communications and marketing, receive a professional video of one song from their concert and be compensated for their performance.
“We thank the Tony Quo Vadis Foundation and the Langley Heritage Society for bringing the Youth Concert Showcase Series to life,” says Festival Executive Director and Co-Founder, Karen Zukas. “Their contributions are monumental in providing life-changing opportunities for young and emerging artists!”
“As a long time Fort Langley resident and massive music fan, I am excited to provide support for musicians of the future at such a great Fort Langley venue,” says Tony Quo Vadis.
Learn more and apply today at https://www.fortlangleyjazzfest.com/youth-concert-series/.
Applications are due February 29, 2024