World-‐famous Saxophonist Jeff Coffin To Hold Music Clinics for

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Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Media Contact: Olivia Brown, MNPS, 615-­‐259-­‐8405 Olivia.brown@mnps.org from the MNPS Communications Office
Joe Bass, MNPS, 615-­‐259-­‐8405 joseph.bass@mnps.org World-­‐famous Saxophonist Jeff Coffin To Hold Music Clinics for Metro Students WHAT: Grammy winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin will be conducting music clinics in two high schools and one middle school over the next month. Band students at Stratford STEM Magnet High, Hume-­‐Fogg Magnet High and Litton Middle Schools will work with Mr. Coffin three times each. They will focus on learning to listen, enhancing the musical performance of current concert literature and finding emotional depth in music. The clinics are part of the district wide Music Makes Us initiative and are supported in part by RICO Reeds. WHO: Jeff Coffin is an internationally recognized saxophonist, bandleader, composer and educator and has been traveling the globe since the late 20th Century. He is a three-­‐time Grammy Award winner from Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and played with them from 1997-­‐2010. In July 2008, Jeff began touring with Dave Matthews Band, and officially joined the group in 2009 following the tragic passing of founding member LeRoi Moore. When not on the road, Coffin fronts his own group, Jeff Coffin & the Mu’tet. Jeff is also as the author of the recently released book "The Articulate Jazz Musician.” WHEN & WHERE: All dates subject to change. Please contact the Communications Office for confirmation before attending. September 25, 12:15-­‐1:15 p.m. -­‐Hume Fogg High School September 26, 12:25-­‐2:05 p.m. -­‐ Stratford High School October 2, 12:25-­‐2:05 p.m. -­‐ Stratford High School October 3, 12:15-­‐1:15 p.m. -­‐ Hume Fogg High School October 4, 12:15-­‐1:15 p.m. -­‐ Hume Fogg High School November 19, 4:15-­‐5:15 p.m. -­‐Litton Middle School One additional date will be scheduled at both Stratford High School and Litton Middle School. Music Makes Us A joint effort of Metro Nashville Public Schools, Mayor Karl Dean and music industry and community leaders, the Music Makes Us initiative will lead the nation in music education. With a focus on music literacy and student participation, Music Makes Us is strengthening traditional school music while adding a contemporary curriculum that embraces new technologies and reflects a diverse musical landscape. Enhancing a quality music education with a network of music professionals, music industry and community based organizations is a cornerstone of the vision of Music Makes Us. The initiative was founded with the belief that Music City should have an exceptional music education program, one that utilizes the richness of the city’s resources. Metro Nashville Public Schools Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools is the nation’s 42nd largest district, preparing more than 81,000 students to excel in higher education, work and life with the goal of being the first choice for Nashville’s families. The governing body for Metro Schools is the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Public Education, a nine-­‐member elected body. For more information, visit www.mnps.org. MNPS Media Room