Building on the efforts of Get JazzED, the educational arm of Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest, Berks Arts announced the launch of a larger scholastic jazz festival during the 2023 Berks Jazz Fest. The intention is for the new festival to become a local, regional, and eventually national draw for students, educators, and families to enjoy a jazz education experience through workshops, masterclasses, performances, competitions, jams, and more.

To support the Get JazzED Committee, headed by professional jazz saxophonist and retired educator Mike Eben, Berks Arts has added Scott Litzenberg to the team as educational events coordinator. Litzenberg spent 34 years as a high school band director prior to his recent retirement and has also led and managed events in the music education and performance world across the nation.

In recent years, on the first Sunday during Berks Jazz Fest, Get JazzED has held Doc Mulligan Day, in which several local school jazz bands perform in an exhibition and are critiqued by three adjudicators. The following evening, the committee has hosted the RMF/Project Penske Jazz Jam at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading. This session is open to all students who perform alongside Berks Jazz Fest artists in front of an audience.

Beginning in 2023, the scholastic festival will expand to Monday through Thursday during Berks Jazz Fest, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 24, to Sunday, April 2, 2023. Band directors from local and regional middle schools and high schools will be invited to participate.

To learn more, visit http://www.berksarts.org or contact Litzenberg at scott@berksarts.org.