The Kiewitt-Wang Mentorship Award is given to three high school students at the freshman, sophomore and junior level who show excellence in musicianship as jazz instrumentalists. Candidates recommended by their band directors compete by auditioning. 20 free music lessons with a Chicago jazz musician of their choice are awarded to the winners.
The 2009-2010 Kiewitt-Wang awardees are as follows:
- Yael Litwin, drums / University of Chicago Lab School
- Shane Simpson, piano / New Trier High School
- Thaddeus Tukes, vibraphone / Whitney Young High School
The 2008-2009 Kiewitt-Wang awardees are as follows:
- Ariana Baker, drums / Kenwood Academy High School
- Lane Beckstrom, bass / Lane Tech. High School
- Chakeiya Richmond, alto sax / Kenwood Academy High School
Audition Process
- To be considered for the Kiewitt-Wang Mentorship Award, students must first submit an application at least two weeks prior to the audition.
- Contestants must be prepared to play two standards pre-selected by the board of judges in addition to a jazz standard of their very own choice.
- All contestants will be backed by a rhythm section provided by JIC.
- Auditions for each of the three high school levels will last approximately an hour.
- Please send/fax completed applications to the Jazz Institute of Chicago /410 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 943/Chicago, IL 60605; fax 312 427-1684. Any questions, requests for additional information or application materials, may be directed to Diane Chandler-Marshall, Education Director in the office of the Jazz Institute at 312-427-1676
