Kickstarter

My name is Matthew Pray. I am the Musical Director for the Adirondack Jazz Orchestra, a big band in Plattsburgh, NY.

SUMMER PERFORMANCE OF "SWEET CHARITY".

This Summer the Adirondack Jazz Orchestra (AJO) will be performing "SWEET CHARITY" in a double billed event with the Strand Restoration Project at the Strand Theatre in Plattsburgh, NY.  We want to improve our look, so the AJO looks as professional as it can for this event and all FUTURE AJO concerts.  We would like to purchase music stands, stand lighting, carrying cases, and interior shelf kits for these musical performances featuring the AJO.  Before we discuss the project, here is a brief history of the AJO.

THE ADIRONDACK JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Since 2004, the AJO has performed all in Upstate New York. Many of the bands founding members are still in the group today. They have dedicated years to this group and for that I am very greatful. We started performing in various outdoor concert series. Later we moved on to annual concerts at Peru Central School. 

RECENT PERFORMANCES

 More recently, we've performed at the “Saranac Village at Will Roger's” in Saranac Lake, the beautiful Samuel D. Champlain Center Stage in Rouses Point, and the Senior Citizen's Counsel in Plattsburgh. We have also been a part of Jay Entertainment and Music Society's summer concert Series. 

 The Group has also opened for the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra.

HOSTING GALA EVENTS

 This past summer the AJO was also honored to perform for Clinton Community College's Centennial Gala, honoring the 100th anniversary of the Hotel Champlain. The AJO has loved performing at all of these locations.

OUR HOME

In 2009 we started performing the first Wednesday of the Month at a local restaurant called Olive Ridley's. This has been our “home base” so to speak. They have been kind enough to house our band. Set lists used to be selected prior to the gigs, and for the last few months our audience has been selecting what they want to hear. It has been fun and a unique environment for both the band and the audience.

THE MUSICIANS

One of the special and surprising things about working this group is the fantastic musicians that I get to work with. We have a core group of 18 music educators and local professional musicians. Occasionally, when a member of our group can't make it to a gig, we sub that position out.

 The great thing is being able to involve a very large number of musicians in our area. The band has always been welcoming to new comers and provides a fun, low stress environment for everyone to share their love in performing.

We have a very diverse group ranging from great section players to strong improvisors. Every single person in this group offers something different that makes the AJO what it is today.

OUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS

The Adirondack Jazz Orchestra strives for a professional look and feel. The sound of our group has matured over the years. The next thing that we would like to do is improve our look for our audience. We would like to have have more of a traditional big band atmosphere. We want our audiences to feel a part of our show. We want those who are coming to our gigs for the first time, to know exactly who they are seeing.

THIS IS WHERE WE NEED YOUR HELP!

MUSIC STANDS

The AJO is raising money to purchase 18 big band stands, that are custom designed with an Adirondack Jazz Orchestra logo. 

 This will not only look more professional, but will help us strive to be the best we can at every detail of our shows. I am convinced that the more professional the band looks, the more professional the band will sound.

The stands will have a newly designed logo on the front, but offer some other features that will benefit us.

WIRE SHELF KITS

One feature of these stands is that there are inserts on the inside for additional wire shelf kits to be placed for added weight during outdoor gigs. These will prevent the stands from blowing away, and adds a place for mutes, and other items members of the band might have.

PROTECTIVE CASES

In order to take care of these stands, we should also order carrying cases to protect them.

Hopefully these stands will last for years.

When we perform, a lot of times, it can be very dark in some of the venues.

MUSIC STAND LIGHTS

 We would also like to purchase music stand lights for everyone in the band. 

 In dark venues it can be very difficult to read our music. These stand lights will end the problems with lighting no matter where we are playing. Sometimes, when performing outdoors at late in the evening, the sun will set, and then again it becomes difficult to read our music. These stand lights will fit in any environment, and will be extremely beneficial.

OUR BUDGET

Unfortunately, we are not grant funded.  We do not have much for income as an organization.  For the first time, we are looking and asking for help in improving what we give to our community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

We are asking for support in raising the funds necessary to purchase these items, and improve the quality of our performances.

 For those who are willing to help, there are a number of incentives of donating towards our goal. This is our way of saying Thank You for making this project a success.

Looking over the incentives to the side, we have tried to offer some neat items that have never been available before to our audience.

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST:  $2,500.00.

This includes the music stands, shelf kits, carrying cases, and stand lights. We would like to purchase these items all at once.

OUR KICKSTARTER GOAL: $2,000.00

We are setting the kickstarter goal to be $2,000.00 in hopes of raising the funds needed to at least get our music stands. We hope to raise more than this goal. We would like to finish this project quickly.

It is my hope that with your help, we will be able to improve our look for our audience and continue to provide a very special family friendly atmosphere for any venue we perform at.

It is my hope that with your help, we will be able to improve our look for our audience and continue to provide a very special family friendly atmosphere for any venue we perform at.

On behalf of the Adirondack Jazz Orchestra, we sincerely Thank You for your support in making this project a success.