Hundreds of young musicians rush into the 3rd annual Blues Camp auditions

Montreal, Tuesday, April 29, 2008 ’ÄîMarguerite’ÄëDe Lajemmerais high school flew its flags last weekend ’Äî all of them blue! The school hosted the 3rd annual auditions for the upcoming Blues Camp presented by TD Canada Trust, welcoming over 300 music-mad teenagers who flocked in to display their talents on their chosen instrument or on vocals. All the energetic young participants were eager for the opportunity to earn one of 50 final spots and showcase their technique and musical knowledge at this utterly unique and entirely free Blues Camp, presented from June 29 to July 6, 2008 by the Montreal Musical Instrument Show (SIMM) and the Festival International de Jazz de Montrˆ©al.

The Kids Are Alright!

Say what you will about the younger generation, but if we can judge by the newcomers who shared their passion for music at last weekend's auditions, then the kids are alright! Hundreds of budding young 13-17-year-old musicians were classified according to age and level of musical knowledge before facing a handful of music professionals and professors. Those selected in the first round’Äî including, for the first time, a girl on bass’Äîwere then interviewed and given opportunity to speak about their interests and passions. In every category (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, wind instruments, harmonica and vocals), Blues Camp organizers and judges were utterly thrilled by what they heard from the talent on display. And if you believe in music, and the undiscovered magic that lies in the power of youth, be advised: the vigour, freshness and talent displayed at this third annual audition won't be kept secret for very long’Ķ

The Blues Camp presents 50 young people showcasing their passion and devotion to the blues, on their chosen instrument, for seven inspiring days’Äîall free of charge’Äîfrom June 29 to July 6, 2008, at Cˆ©gep du Vieux Montrˆ©al near the Festival site. All participants will take part in the closing Blues Camp concert for a live audience on July 6, from the TD Canada Trust stage, as part of the Festival International de Jazz de Montrˆ©al.

The Blues Camp offers its warmest thanks to TD Canada Trust, whose continued proud sponsorship and presentation hit just the right note, making this musical dream camp possible. Our sincere thanks also go out to partners Steve's Music Store, Mel Bay, Aebersold, Vox, Pearl, Marshall, Korg, Phonic and Markbass, cˆ©gep du Vieux Montrˆ©al, CIBL Radio’ÄëMontrˆ©al 101.5, Couleur Jazz 91.9 and the Canada Council for the Arts.

[Montreal] Register now for auditions leading up to the 3rd annual free Blues Camp presented by TD Canada Trust!

Registrations until April 24, 2008

Open to all 13-17-year-old musicians!

Montreal, Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - Registration begins today for the 3rd edition of the already renowned Blues Camp, presented once again this year by TD Canada Trust! We're calling on all 13 to 17-year old aspiring Quebec musicians to register before April 24, 2008 for auditions and the chance to join the lucky crew who will participate in the free day camp presented as part of the Montreal Musical Instrument Show (SIMM) and the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. It's a unique opportunity to hone their musical understanding, perfect their technical skills, and finally, to star on one of the Festival's outdoor stages! Just visit the website at campdeblues.com and register before Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 5 p.m. Auditions will follow on April 26 and 27 at Marguerite-De Lajemmerais school in Montreal.

A musical day camp-100% free!

Since its first edition, the Blues Camp presented by TD Canada Trust and created by the SIMM in accordance with its mission to empower teenage musicians through practical and public instruction, was an immediate and immense success! Once again this year, 55 young musicians bursting with knowledge, talent and passion will be chosen to attend the seven-day musical day camp, where they can improve their technique, learn the blues basics and the artistic process, compose, learn to be a part of a group and benefit from exclusive courses and workshops offered by professors, professionals and celebrated artists. Once formed into a band, they will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to climb onto the Festival's TD Canada Trust stage and show the whole world what they've learned!

How to sign up:

Simply log on to the Blues Camp website, campdeblues.com, and register before April 24 by 5 p.m. Young candidates must specify their chosen instrument from the list of those eligible for inclusion at the camp (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, wind instruments, harmonica, voice) and bring their talent and passion to this free program. 55 young musicians who dream in blue will be selected during an audition to be held in Montreal on April 26 or 27. The Blues Camp, scheduled from June 29 to July 6, will once again be held at cˆ©gep du Vieux Montrˆ©al, close to the Festival International de Jazz de Montrˆ©al site.

Keep this calendar handy:

Registration period: from February 19 to April 24, 2008, by 5 p.m.

Auditions: April 26 and 27, at Marguerite-De Lajemmerais school in Montreal

Blues Camp: from June 29 to July 6, 2008

Performance at the Festival International de Jazz de Montrˆ©al: July 6

The SIMM: Complexe Desjardins, from Thursday, July 3 to Sunday, July 6

The Montreal Guitar Show: Grand Salon, Hyatt Regency Montrˆ©al, from Friday, June 27, to Sunday, June 29, 2008

The Blues Camp offers its warmest thanks to TD Canada Trust, whose continued proud sponsorship and presentation hit just the right note, making this musical dream camp possible. Our sincere thanks also go out to partners Steve's Music Store, Mel Bay, Vox, Pearl, Marshall, Korg, Phonic and Markbass, and cˆ©gep du Vieux Montrˆ©al, CIBL Radio-Montrˆ©al 101.5 and Couleur Jazz 91.9.

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Source

Festival International de Jazz de Montrˆ©al
514 523-3378

Information (Media)

Marie-Eve Boisvert
Senior director of media relations
514 523-3378, ext. 5666
marie-eve.boisvert@equipespectra.ca

Greg Kitzler
publicist
514 523-3378, ext. 5622
greg.kitzler@equipespectra.ca

Information (Public)

Site Internet : campdeblues.com

KoSA Academy, NEW DVD and Admin Assistant

KoSA Academy
Register now at KoSA Academy for classes beginning January 2008. Individual instruction and group courses include:

- Drumset
- Percussion
- Bass
- Guitar
- Keyboards
- Electric Band
- Brazilian Batucada Class
- Cuban Percussion Ensemble
- African Drumming Classes
- Small Percussion Course / Studio & Pop Percussion
- Classical Percussion
- Private & Group Instruction

KoSA Academy is conveniently located in Montreal at 5457 Rue St. Jacques Street West, just a short walk from the Vendome Metro in NDG. For any further questions, our phone number is 514-482-5554, OR visit our website at www.kosamusic.com

Click here for a map link that shows where you can find our school

Academie KoSA
Nous sommes fiers de prˆ©senter la session d'hiver de l'Acadˆ©mie KoSA ˆÝ Montrˆ©al, les nouveaux programmes n'ont pas terminˆ© de grandir. La session d'hiver commence en janvier 2008. Parmi les cours particuliers et de groupe, notons:

- Batterie
- Percussion
- Basse
- Guitare
- Claviers
- Tambours sur cadre
- Groupe ˆ©lectrique - Jam Band
- Cours de batucada brˆ©silienne
- Ensemble de percussion cubain
- Cours de percussion africaine
- Cours de petits instruments de percussion/la percussion
en studio et dans la musique pop
- Percussion classique
- Enseignement particulier et de groupe

L''Acadˆ©mie KoSA est situˆ©e au 5457 rue St. Jacques Ouest, ˆÝ quelques pas du Mˆ©tro Vendˆ¥me, dans le quartier NDG.

Si vous avez des question, notre numˆ©ro tˆ©lˆ©phone est 514-482-5554, OU visitez www.kosamusic.com

Voici un lien vers Google Maps pour vous montrer c'est oˆ¼

KoSA Eleven/Live"

The New DVD from Hudson Limited features Instruction and Performances by Clayton Cameron, Kenwood Dennard, Jamey Haddad, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ed Soph, Bernard Purdie, Glen Velez and Other Top Drum and Percussion Artists.

"KoSA Eleven/Live", contains over three hours of instruction, interviews and live performance highlights from the eleventh edition of the world-renowned KoSA International Percussion Workshop and Festival. Produced by KoSA founder and artistic director, Aldo Mazza, in association with Hudson Music, this entertaining, informative and highly educational DVD offers viewers a participant's perspective on the unique KoSA experience and represents the highlights of the August 2006 event, which was held in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont.

The DVD presents exclusive performance and instructional footage of top drum and percussion artists from around the world, including:

Memo Acevedo - "Colombian Cumbia rhythm"
John Amira - "Haitian drumming"
Clayton Cameron - "Playing uptempo with brushes"
Kenwood Dennard - "The Woodstroke Technique"
Jamey Haddad - "Frame drum ideas and other sounds"
Bernard Purdie - "Groove Routines"
Antonio Sanchez - "Motivic Development"
Ed Soph - "Ride Cymbal Technique"
Glen Velez - "Basic Tar and Bodhran techniques"

Also featured are a fiery duet with legendary conga master, Giovanni Hidalgo and brush specialist Clayton Cameron and interviews with Jim Chapin, Dom Famularo and veteran club drummer and Modern Drummer magazine editor, Rick Van Horn , plus the KoSA Rhythm Section of Rafael Alcala (piano), Jennifer Vincent (bass) and Steve Blair (guitar).

View free video clips at www.hudsonmusic.com or, for additional information, please contact Hudson Music at tel: (888) 796-2992, fax: (914) 246-5282, e-mail: hudsoninfo@aol.com, Internet: www.hudsonmusic.com.

Hudson Limited DVDs are distributed by the Hal Leonard Corp., 7777 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53213, tel: (414) 774-3630, fax: (414) 774-3259, Internet: www.halleonard.com.

Title: KOSA Eleven/Live 2006
Running Time: 3 hours, 6 minutes
Hudson SKU: #HDDVDKO21
Hal Leonard SKU: #HL00320686
UPC Code: 884088170363
Price: $29.95

ALSO AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON LINE FROM THE KoSA STORE AT WWW.KOSAMUSIC.COM!

WANTED: PRIMARY ASSISTANT FOR KOSA 13!
Position Announcement for Assistant to Project Coordinator
and Artistic Director, KoSA International Percussion Workshop & Festival, 2008

KoSA International Percussion Workshops and Festival is a non-profit organization which specializes in producing educational percussion events, musical events and running a world-music academy. We are presently seeking qualified candidates to apply as (a) project coordinator's assistant and (b) artistic director's assistant to assist KoSA in preparing the up-coming musical event in Vermont July 30 to August 3 2008. The position would commence immediately and run through the end of August 2008, with the possibility of extending further if mutually agreed upon.

Duties will include:
- General office management (maintenance of database, sending
and preparing invoices, preparing mailings etc.)
- Direct assistant to Project Coordinator and Artistic Director
- Assist in the pre-registration process of the up-coming workshops and events
- Coordination of publicity related to the workshops, festival, and music academy
- Coordination of all logistics related to the project (example: coordinate guest artist faculty's schedules,
coordinate transportation and lodging for artists, faculty, participants, etc.)

Qualifications needed:
- Basic knowledge of data base management and related computer software (Word, Excel, etc...)
- Excellent telephone etiquette and people skills
- Supportive and reliable team player
- A leadership style which encourages participation and commitment to organizational objective
- Excellent knowledge of writing in English is essential, bilingualism an asset
- Must work well under deadline pressures
- Location: KoSA Communications, Int'l Main office: 5457 St. Jacques West, Montreal (Metro Vendome)

Qualified candidates, please apply to KoSA: 514-482-5554 or info@kosamusic.com