VJGTS
Vail Jazz Goes to School
Vail Jazz Goes to School (VJGTS) has brought jazz education to 4th and 5th graders across Eagle County for the past 26 years. Taught by top jazz musicians and educators, the program is anchored in the idea that memories are made by embracing the energy of in-person performance: living in that moment, environment, and atmosphere. It is our goal to continue expanding VJGTS across Colorado in the coming years!
At the apex of the curriculum, the students attend a full-production live jazz concert! Moving forward, our goal is to expand this live performance finale to every 4th and 5th grader that completes the curriculum, just as the students of Eagle County have experienced at the Vilar Performing Arts Center for the history of the program.
This season we are honoring the legacy of the VJGTS founders Tony G and Howard Stone.
Vail Jazz Goes to School is a program of the Vail Jazz Foundation and is sponsored in part by Alpine Bank, Eagle County RE-50J School District/ PTOs, St. Clare of Assisi, Vail Christian Academy, Stone Creek School PTOs, Vail Resorts Epic Promise, and numerous individuals and family foundations.
“Most kids would never be exposed to jazz, much less understand its development and relevance to American history, without this program.”
Dawn Vallejos
Former Eagle Valley Educator
“Vail Jazz Goes to School is cool because rarely in a community like Vail do kids get exposed to that kind of thing at that age.”
Alec Mauro
VJGTS Alumni
The Tony G Rising Star Award
In honor of late Vail Jazz Goes to School co-founder Tony Gulizia, The Vail Jazz Foundation has launched the Tony G Rising Star Award.
This merit-based award provides the opportunity for Eagle County children to jumpstart their musical journeys by providing financial support towards the purchase of an instrument, music lessons, band camps, or private instruction.
Click the button below to meet our 4th and 5th grade recipients and to learn more about this special award.
Perpetuating jazz with a focus on young musicians and audiences
12,000+
students impacted
26 years
and running
12
participating schools
