Juan, a junior at Prescott High School, wasn’t particularly interested in music and had never played an instrument, but he had some friends who were in the jazz band, and to him it looked like they were really having fun. So he took a chance, got a saxophone and joined the band. He’s having a blast, even stays late after practice to help clean up, and it’s become an important part of his education.

Playing music is great, but playing in an ensemble develops a host of skills that will serve you for a lifetime. Calvin Audis, Director of Instrumental Music at PHS, gets this. He grew up in Chino Valley in the ‘90s and benefited hugely from the then-robust music program there. He started on flute, but it wasn’t a fit, so he tried trombone when the band director said they needed bone players. He became an All-State player and took jazz lessons with Heath Krieger. Once he was hooked on jazz, he went on to get his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at NAU, and eventually a doctorate in performance at Texas Tech University.

I spoke with Calvin on what happened to be the last day of the school year. He would be taking part of the next week off, then take his marching-band leadership team down to a leadership camp. Then, after a Sunday off, he’ll start the summer session of the Yavapai Jazz Institute, an intensive program he started several years ago. After that he’ll lead band camp, which will keep him busy right up till school starts on July 31.

We imagine that teachers have it good with the whole summer off, but no, not music teachers. If they’re not running summer programs for kids, they’re taking workshops with other teachers to be even better music teachers, on their own time, and often on their own dime. You know they love their jobs, because they sure don’t do it for the money. But this passion for the work is what catches student attention and lights the fire in their bellies.

Calvin was fortunate that his high school had a strong music program and a local musician could give him a good jazz introduction, but things have changed. “We’re battling outside opportunities and entertainment. It’s so easy to be entertained by other things, and there are fewer people giving lessons in this area. It’s a very different atmosphere now from when I was growing up.”

State funding for the arts has plummeted since he was a kid. Most of his band students don’t have private lessons, and only about 60% can read music. Calvin feels that his performance studies prepared him for the challenges of working with students of all skill levels, meeting them where they are and pulling their abilities up to a higher level. He really believes jazz can spark interest in teens to want to learn an instrument, hence the creation of the Yavapai Jazz Institute.

Open to kids from across the region, Yavjazz now has two bands, one for more experienced, auditioned players, the other for those who want to experience what jazz-ensemble playing is all about before they’re completely hooked. Now in its third season, Yavjazz brings in paid clinicians for each instrument group, offering opportunities for teens to steep themselves in great music and improve their skills. The tuition for this whole experience is just $200, but  not all parents can afford this, so there is support from private donors and from the Acker Foundation. Yavjazz is a gift to our community, but it is underfunded, so donations are welcomed.

Calvin understands personally what a band program can do for kids. It can get them off their phones and the video-game controller. Jazz in particular is playful by nature, and that appeals to the young mind. He hopes that Yavjazz will cultivate passion and dedication among his students.

Another PHS student, Shaelyn, was having a rough time and dropped out for a semester in her sophomore year. When she came back Calvin had just started as band director. She started band camp, but nearly bailed, till Calvin had a conversation with her. Whatever he said turned her around and she stayed and went on to have a great year, attending two summers of Yavjazz. This year she became a lead drum major for the marching band. She will attend NAU in the fall to pursue a music-education degree. She even got into the NAU sax studio, which apparently is not easy.

Kudos to Calvin for getting teens excited about playing music together. It might just be good medicine for modern life.

To learn more about and support the Yavapai Jazz Institute, visit yavjazz.com or contact Calvin at Calvin.audis@prescottschools.com.