Informational Interview By Margo Wagner

(JAS) “The MISSION of Jazz Aspen Snowmass is to present and preserve jazz and related forms of music through world- class festivals, performances and education programs.” (JAS) Jas is a huge program that holds music festivals, and really helps the music programs in the Roaring Fork Valley Jazz Aspen Snowmass’s education programs were established in The JAS team created a summer program that focuses on the style of Jazz music and has very famous musicians teach the students. The program contributes over 100,000 dollars each year to the public schools in the valley. JAS also hosts annual Jazz showcases and Jazz honor band which I have had the honor to participate in both.

Continued... JAS has many employed wonderful musicians that travel up and down the valley (from Rifle to Aspen) to help the students during school. In our school we have a few Jazz musicians that help us before school in the morning and also during concert band in the day. They are all very talented, helpful and dedicated to our education.

Who I Interviewed I Interviewed one of the esteemed musicians that help out during my concert band class. His name is Rob Merritt Mr. Merritt) I decided to interview him because I know he has had many great experiences playing and teaching music. I want to become a music major, and possibly become a band director or teacher.

About Mr. Merritt Mr. Merritt’s principle instrument is trumpet, he has been playing since he was 5 years old. He can also play pretty much any other brass instrument. He went to University of Oklahoma, where he received his Bachelorette degree in music. He is a private contractor that was hired by JAS to help out in schools. (Not employed by them.)

Work for Mr. Merrit Before Mr. Merritt retired and worked with JAS in 2011 he had a couple other jobs He became a band director in – Alamosa Glenwood – Aspen » Basalt – part time Dominican Republic When the schools needed to make budget cuts the music department always seems to be the first to go, so he also served as a deputy and ski patrol of Aspen.

Other Opportunities for Mr. Merritt Since Mr. Merritt is a great professional musician and trumpet player he has been able to play in other gigs out side of school. He has played… – for weddings – for church – with The Temptations – With Mannheim Steamroller

Does Mr. Merritt like working with JAS? YES! Mr. Merritt says, “I really enjoys working with jazz aspen because it keeps me involved in the community and I like working with kids”. He also likes seeing the improvement and maturity of the kids he works with and likes working with all of the great teachers in all of the schools across the valley.

Am I Still Interested? Yes, I am still interested in becoming a musician and a teacher. I have learned a lot from this interview. I learned that I have to work really hard to became a professional musician It could be hard to keep or be hired for a band director position in a schools, so I should have a plan B in-case things don’t work out. But I also learned not to give up on my dream because there are so many musical opportunities in the world.

Work Cited : JAS. "JAS Education History." JAS Education History. MyersRoberts Collective & WORLDZOO, Web. 25 May Canbolat, Arin. "Berklee City Music Network." Berklee City Music Network. Worldpress, Web. 25 May Heldt, Steve. "ASD Bands." ASD Bands. Worldpress, Web. 27 May "Toy School Bus Isolated." Dreamstime. Dreamstime, Web. 27 June "The #1 Blog in Aspen, Colorado - Home." The #1 Blog in Aspen, Colorado. Aspenspin, Web. 27 May 2014.