For hundreds of music students and their directors in and around Surrey, the word “jazz” conjures up one very special event: the annual Surrey school district Envision Jazz Festival, now in its 28th year.

This year’s event was held from February 4 to 6 at the Bell Performing Arts Centre and Sullivan Heights Secondary School.

The festival has become a district institution because of the opportunities provided to students and the quality of music over the weekend. This year, as always, it combined vocal and instrumental jazz performances from outstanding secondary music students with performances from world-class professional musicians. Students from throughout the Pacific Northwest look forward to performing at such a well-established festival. Several students who have participated in this festival have gone on to become sought-after professional jazz musicians in their own right.

This unique festival provides young musicians the opportunity to perform for professional music adjudicators, who this year included Juno award winners Campbell Ryga and Jodi Proznick. Workshops and clinics throughout the weekend helped the students develop their skills and musicianship.

Individual and group creativity was encouraged and excellence was recognized through a number of awards and scholarships.

Recognition was also given to Master of Ceremonies for the Jazz Festival, Surrey Board of Education chair Laurae McNally who was surprised with an unscripted award for her longtime volunteerism, support and advocacy for the event.

Laurae was recognized as a "builder" for her efforts and received a plaque honouring her accomplishments and inducting her to the "Hall of Fame".

Each year, the festival searches for the best professional jazz musicians to perform at evening concerts for students and the public alike. This year, the festival was proud to present the award-winning Cheryl Hodge Quartet and the red hot Miguel Valdes Latin Jazz Ensemble who sizzled and swung on Friday. The festival came to an energetic and enthusiastic end on Saturday when the Tyler Summers Trio took to the stage. The festival also presented the best of the student talent at these evening concerts.

Students from throughout the Pacific Northwest performed at the well-established festival		Surrey Board of Education chair Laurae McNally with her award recognizing her contributions to the Festival

Last Updated: February 12, 2010