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First Annual JEN Conference: The Phoenix has Risen Vater Awards Student in Employee’s Memory
T V
he inaugural JEN (Jazz Education Network) Conference, ater Percussion presented the first annual Jef-
held May 20-22 at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, frey Phillips Memorial Scholarship on April
featured over 1,250 attendees. Clinicians, performers, 13, 2010 to James Callahan. James, a 2010
educators, students, publishers, and music companies traveled graduating senior of Weymouth High School in Massa-
to the gathering from 45 states and 14 countries to enjoy per- chusetts, was awarded the scholarship for his outstand-
formances, workshops, and speeches from some of the biggest
names in contemporary jazz. During his address, keynote speak-
er David Baker, distin-
guished professor of Music
and chairman of the Jazz
Department at Indiana
University’s Jacobs School
of Music (and recent cov-
er-subject of SBO’s sister
magazine, JAZZed), aptly
noted, “The Phoenix has Jane Phillips (mother of the late Jeffrey Phillips), James Callahan,
and Alan Vater.
JEN president Mary Jo Papich and risen.”
president-elect Dr. Lou Fischer at a At the general confer- ing leadership, performance and dedication as student
gathering for founding members of the
Jazz Education Network. ence on Saturday May leader to the school’s band. James will be attending
22, Jim Widner, confer- Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. in the fall.
ence host, was given the President’s Service Award; Justin The annual Jeffrey Phillips Memorial Scholarship
Young received the David Baker Scholarship, sponsored by has been set up by Vater Percussion in memory of
Jamey Aebersold; the Women in Jazz Scholarship, sponsored Phillips, a Vater Employee, whose life was tragically
by Mary Jo Papich, was awarded to Kim Aubuchon; and the taken in a senseless act of violence on July 24, 2009.
Lifetime Achievement in Jazz Award, sponsored by Down- The scholarship is awarded to