Area high school musicians are encouraged to attend a FREE Jazz Clinic from 4:15-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday March 19 at Auburn High School. The Rockford Symphony Orchestra has organized this clinic that will be conducted by members of the Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble. Students interested in attending should call RSO Education and Community Relations Director Lorie Langan at (815) 972-2939 to register.

The NIU Jazz Ensemble, conducted by Mr. Ronald Carter - director of Jazz Studies at the university, will perform with the RSO at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 29 in a program of symphonic works composed by Duke Ellington. Student tickets for this concert are available starting at $7 and can be purchased in advance by calling (815) 968-0595.

The Jazz Clinic is part of the RSO’s two month long American Composers Festival. The Festival features three concerts and additional special events including the clinic. During the festival, music by Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, and George Gershwin will be featured. The clinic and the festival are partially supported by grants from The National Endowment of the Arts and The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.

For further information and more details about the Jazz Clinic or the American Composer’s Festival visit the RSO website at www.rockfordsymphony.com or call (815) 965-0049.