About the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra
MISSION STATEMENT
Through performances and educational endeavors, The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra strives to preserve the rich heritage of jazz, nurture its growth, and encourage the appreciation of America’s Classical Music as a viable art form.
Jazz is America’s classical music. Through the efforts of the KCJO, a non-profit organization, the citizens of Kansas City can experience this art form through concert performances by a dynamic collection of Kansas City’s finest musicians. The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra will present a series of concerts each season that are both entertaining and artistically sound. Each concert will feature a guest instrumentalist, vocalist or theme to showcase the many facets of this diverse and evolving musical art.
The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra will be the flagship project. However, youth programs and community outreach will play an integral part in the evolution of this organization. Educational and youth programs may include a summer jazz camp, metropolitan youth jazz orchestra, master classes, artists in residence, jazz mentoring, school visits and presentations.
The KCJO will attempt to collaborate with other established jazz organizations in a spirit of unity and inclusion. It is important that the diversity and multiculturalism of jazz be emphasized and celebrated.
An advisory council is being organized and will be made up of members of the community whose views are congruent with the mission and purpose of the organization. Each member will not only serve in an advisory capacity but will also be actively involved in promotion, fund procurement, audience development and overall planning and development.
Funding
The KCJO has applied for and has begun receiving grant funds to be used as seed money to get the organization established and to help underwrite public performances. Revenues from ticket sales will contribute only a fraction of the operating budget of the organization. The cost of concert tickets will be in line with other professional arts organizations yet will remain affordable enough as to not exclude young people and students, a segment of the population we intend to make particular efforts to reach. Jazz bands are an integral artistic component to virtually every high school music program. These students should have the opportunity to experience live performances of the classic repertoire they are learning in school. After thirty years, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s ticket revenues only account for approximately 60% of their operating budget. Ongoing support from charitable foundations and corporate and private gifts will be paramount to the success and livelihood of the organization. Identifying potential funding sources will be the first priority of the KJCO’s Advisory Board.
Vision
The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra will present American Classical Music in the same way a symphony orchestra presents European Classical Music. Our vision is a community where Jazz warrants the same social prestige and garners the same cultural respect as European art music. From a historical perspective Kansas City is known internationally as a focal point for jazz, and this endeavor is about its preservation and perpetuation. The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra will align our community with other cities who have successful jazz orchestras.