‘Thanks’ from student

Dear editor:

The Hot Springs Jazz Society had the honor of sendi ng eight students from Arkansas to attend the University of Arkansas in Monticello’s Jazz Camp this past summer. Below is a letter from one of those students who offered us an insight into their experience.

July 30, 2017

Dear Ms. Gretchen Taylor: Thank you for awarding me with a scholarship that allowed me to attend UAM’s Jazz Camp. I learned so much from the great counselors and teachers that were on campus. I was nervous to be attending my first jazz camp, but I can now confidently say I know enough to continue my jazz studies. Before going to camp, I never truly understood what jazz meant or what it stood for. Now I know all of that and more. Through what I’ve learned, I can put the meaning of jazz and what it stands for into my own words.

Thank you for the opportunity to experience my first jazz camp. I now know what it takes to play in a jazz band and how I contribute to the group as a whole. My favorite part of camp was experiencing the chemistry that happened between the members of my jazz band or other bands.

Now that I feel I know the basics of jazz, I feel ready to continue to learn as much as I can in my school jazz band. I’d love to go back to Jazz Camp next year and see how much more I could learn.

From, Cameron B. Welch Little Rock Central High School

Freshman — trombone Gretchen Taylor HSJS executive director Hot Springs