The Antioch Music Foundation Jazz Fest

[Lois Gilbert]

The Antioch Music Foundation board members finalize their plans for Saturday’s Collegiate Jazz Festival.

The Antioch Music Foundation was founded in September of 2005 in response to school budget cuts in music and the arts. Rather than bemoaning the unfairness of teacher layoffs and the lack of money to buy and repair music instruments, foundation members decided to do something about it.

“There was a time when every child who wanted to study music was entitled an instrument by the school,” said AMF Founder and President Walter Ruehlig, who also sits on the Antioch Unified School District Board. “Two years ago, budget cuts gutted music classes, music bands and music programs.

“AMF has restored music back to levels of four years ago. We have more teachers, more music hours, chorale sheets, instruments, repairs, uniforms and field trips.”

Ruehlig’s commitment to music in Antioch schools isn’t merely verbal. During his four-year term on the board he has donated his school board stipend to AMF, a total of about $16,000.

The music foundation has staged two main fundraising events so far: Christmas at El Campanil in 2005 and the East County Idol contest last year. “We have given out $1,000 to each of the Antioch high schools from these events,” said Ruehlig. “We also gave $300 to each middle school and $200 to each elementary school. The foundation raises money, collects used instruments for school distribution (including three pianos so far) and raises musical awareness in the community – like a triple threat: we run, catch and pass.”

In what might be their most ambitious fundraising venture thus far, the AMF is staging a non-competitive collegiate jazz festival at the El Campanil Theatre in downtown Antioch this Saturday afternoon.

“This jazz fest will be different, and I think the first of its kind and level,” said Ruehlig. “Serious jazz is a rare enough commodity; more so in the East County. Emphasis will be on small-ensemble performances by CSU East Bay, Fresno, San Jose, and University of the Pacific. Grammy-award winner Christian McBride headlines the festival.

“This revives a jazz tradition like Paul Whiteman Orchestra, Dorsey Brothers, and Lionel Hampton, who all performed at the El Campanil. Hopefully, this jazz fest can be the catalyst in making El Campanil and Antioch a regional draw for quality jazz events.”

Ruehlig encourages parents to introduce their children to music, stressing its importance in school success.

“It has been proven that music and cognitive abilities are correlated,” he said. “Music students score higher in math and logic. Music also increases school attendance. It is a fun and creative outlet from academics. Music also teaches good and practical values. I have noticed that all music band members are respectful, attentive and obedient. There’s also lots of camaraderie in a musical group. They watch out for each other.”

In the works for AMF is a teachers’ concert, a cultural home tour, an international folk festival and the second annual East County Idol contest. Meanwhile, the foundation is hoping for more volunteers to help out with events and ideas. Donations of cash and instruments are always welcome.

The Antioch Collegiate Jazz Festival starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 5. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students. For tickets and more information, call the El Campanil Theatre at 757-9500. For volunteer opportunities at the Antioch Music Foundation, call 756-7628.