Launched in 2007 with the establishment of Blue Jay Jazz Foundation as a non-profit educational institution, these programs taken together have been making a substantial impact in the lives of families for more than a

decade. The scholarship program, for instance, has now awarded over 30 grants with another ten accompanying grants from the Lake Arrowhead Rotary Club. These total nearly $40,000 total.

Students need to have an instrument – preferably one they are excited about – in order to learn how to play. The amount of time required to really gain the mechanical skills and meet the physical demands of an instrument is difficult to find these days, with so many activities vying for a student’s time. All the more reason that he or she has access to an instrument of their choice. That is why the Foundation has its two-pronged instrument program: we solicit used instruments from community members as well as donated instruments from manufacturers and retailers and we also distribute instruments out of our own inventory to students who demonstrate the greatest desire and need.

The Foundation organizes Master Classes and clinics to collegiate and high school music students, at Rim of the World High School (RHS) and other locations. These may be provided by musicians who then perform with student orchestras at the Blue Jay Jazz Festival, or come during the rest of the year.