Throughout the month of May, Jazz 88.3 FM and Coles Fine Flooring collaborated on their 5^th annual “Music Matters” drive to collect musical instruments for the Community Council for Music in the Schools (CCMS), a nonprofit organization. It has been a five-year duet to benefit students of San Diego and inspire future generations of musicians.

CCMS refurbishes and repairs donated musical instruments, placing them with music teachers in the San Diego Unified School District – including elementary, middle and high schools – who, in turn, loan them to students in school music classes, bands and orchestras.

Studies have shown that children who learn to play musical instruments do better in many other subjects, and have both higher test scores and school attendance. According to CCMS Co-Chair Ann Marie Haney, “Students with musical training become better citizens because in a collaborative environment they have learned to care about one another and take responsibility for themselves and the greater community.”  

However, many young people can not afford to rent or purchase musical instruments.  That’s where San Diegans and the Music Matters program come in.

“We want to help kids discover and enjoy the wonderful world of music,” said Jazz 88.3 station manager Mark DeBoskey.

San Diegans were encouraged to dig into their closets, attics, garage, or under the bed, to find their old musical instruments – violin, flute, cello, clarinet, guitar, trumpet, sax or even a drum kit – that may have been just collecting dust awaiting its next musical maestro. The donations were brought to different Coles stores and showrooms located throughout San Diego County.

This year’s “Music Matters” was one of the most successful yet, collecting almost 200 musical instruments! San Diegans’ outpouring of support surpassed last year’s donations by 50 instruments.

During a special gala in June, all 200 donated instruments were on display for viewing at Coles Fine Flooring Showroom on Morena Boulevard. There was also a live performance by the Mission Bay High School Dixie Band with special guest Derek Cannon. It was quite a sight, especially with the gleaming brass instruments lined up!

Posted under Community Cuts

More than 370 supporters attended the 36th Annual Excellence in Journalism Awards on October 20th at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park.  They enjoyed tastings from 22 stellar restaurants, wines from Temecula Valley, beer from Karl Strauss and Tika Water.

They also saw an impressive group of winners receive their plaques and certificates, including staffers at SDRBA member stations:
 
RADIO – Breaking News
1st Cliff Albert, KOGO News Team – “F-18 Crash” KOGO Judge comment: Great blend of first person reports and professional reporting provided a comprehensive view of an unfolding story, beginning just seconds after impact

RADIO – Series
1st Phil Farrar  – “Black America: San Diego Style” KOGO Judge comment: High energy and entertaining. Especially appreciate the multilayered documentary style.
 
RADIO – Feature
1st Phil Farrar  – “Moody’s Mood for Music” KOGO Judge comment: Loved the engaging VO, nice documentary-style editing and writing in this story that showed the influence of Moody’s music through the years.

RADIO – Use of Sound
1st Kevin Finnerty  – “Paul Newman Remembered” KOGO Judge comment: Good use of clips from Newman’s movies and interviews support the narrative nicely, creating a nice package.

RADIO – Talk/Interview/Call-in Programs
2nd Jon Elliott, Norman Ellis-Flint, Mike Von der Kret  – “This is America with Jon Elliott:Epilepsy” San Diego 1700 AM Judge comment: Well done with good production values and pace. Lots of valuable information is packed into the show

RADIO – Reviews
1st Pat Launer – “Killer Joe/Threepenny Opera” KSDS 88.3 FM Judge comment: Launer’s engaging, high-energy voice, the well-paced script and excellently chosen sound clips made these reviews a pleasure to listen to.
3rd Pat Launer -  “Yank!” KSDS 88.3 FM Judge comment: See above. I want to see this show!

Posted under Behind the Mic

KSDS Jazz 88.3 FM has been honored with a My Source Community Impact Award for Engagement, given each year by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The station will be recognized at a CPB luncheon at the Radio Development & Marketing Conference taking place at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel on July 8, 2009.

The award acknowledges the station for its music education initiatives in the San Diego community, including its support for the annual Music Matters instrument donation program for city schools and the annual CMEA middle and high-school jazz festival. Read More…

Posted under Community Cuts, Radio

KSDS Jazz 88 station manager Mark DeBoskey was recently honored as “Jazz Educator of the Year” by the California Association of Music Education (CMEA) Southern Border Section. The long-time leader of San Diego City College’s broadcast service was recognized for his outstanding contributions to jazz music education in San Diego city schools by supporting the CMEA High School Jazz Festival, held at the City College campus for the past five years.

According to Merryl Nelson, president of the local CMEA, “Mark has done great work in helping make this festival happen year after year. He and his team have coordinated the event on campus…providing a great experience for the students.”

“It’s my very favorite thing that Jazz 88 does in the community,” says DeBoskey. “Our future, musically and in every other way, is in the kids who practice their craft that day. It’s a great joy to see their joy in jazz performance and in self-expression that day.”

Posted under Behind the Mic, Community Cuts

Twenty middle and high school jazz bands attended and performed at the California Music Educators Association/City College Educational Jazz Festival.  Jazz 88.3 presented the event which was held on the campus at San Diego City College, Saturday, March 1.  Participants experienced a performance and coaching session by world-renowned saxophonist Charles MacPherson. 

Posted under Community Cuts