November 30, 2006
Thursday PM

Ketchikan, Alaska - Young musicians are busy rehearsing for the fourth annual Sam Pitcher Memorial Concert which will take place on Thursday, December 7 at 7 pm in the Kayhi auditorium. "An Evening of Jazz and Blues" will feature the Soundwaves Jazz Club, the Windjammers Jazz Club and the Kayhi Jazz Ensemble. Donations for the scholarship fund will be accepted at the door.

Dale Curtis will conduct the Kayhi Jazz ensemble which will feature vocalist Tara Olmstead on two songs. Other featured soloists include saxophonists Courtney Kiffer, Pat Doherty, and Jamie Karlson, trombonist Matthew Perry, and Kim Stone and Mitch Puera on trumpet. Roy McPherson will conduct the Windjammers and the Soundwaves. The Windjammers will include a Celtic jazz piece entitled "Sword" and will also feature Matt Englebrecht playing flugelhorn on "Oblivion." The Soundwaves will feature Niles Corporon paying alto sax on "My One True Friend." Niles will also be featured along with Courtney Kiffer on alto sax and Kim Stone on Trumpet on "Rundown." Jolene Pflaum will be featured playing bass trombone on "Never My Love." All of the groups feature many talented young musicians in grades 7 - 12

The concert and scholarship fund was set up to honor the memory of Sam Pitcher, a Kayhi student who died from an inflammation of his heart in April 2003. Sam played trumpet, flugelhorn and electric guitar in all the bands that will be performing in this concert. Sam was also able to benefit from participation in the Sitka Fine Arts Camp and Interlochen Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. The scholarship fund is intended to help other young musicians in grades 7-12 attend similar summer music programs.

Scholarship recipients in 2006 were Kim Stone and Lindy Parsons. Both attended the Marrowstone Summer Music Festival which is affiliated with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras. Playing with an orchestra was an inspiring experience for both recipients. Kim stated that she "got to play over 100 hours of music" during the two week program. Past recipients have been Jamie Karlson, Jeffery Karlson, Amber Kiffer, and Courtney Kiffer.

Applications for 2007 scholarships are available at McPherson Music, the Ketchikan Area Arts & Humanities Council office, and the Ketchikan High School counselor's office. Up to $1000 in scholarships will be awarded in 2007 based on the applicant's musical ability, goals, motivation and, to a lesser extent, on financial need. Applications are due no later than February 15, 2007.

The Sam Pitcher Memorial Fund is an Advisory Group of the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council. Tax deductible contributions can be made to the scholarship fund in care of KAAHC at 716 Totem Way, Ketchikan.

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