Burlington’s annual Discover Jazz Festival is in full swing, and many internationally recognized musicians will be playing all weekend, along with more than 40 local school bands. “It is critical that young people get to be part of jazz fest,” said Flynn Executive Director Jay Wahl.Burlington’s 43rd jazz festival includes well-known names like Jason Moran and Mavis Staples, as well as 1,000 school students from throughout Vermont and Northern New York.”If you think about the size of our population, having a thousand kids play this festival is amazing. It’s critical. It’s kind of nonnegotiable,” said Wahl. “Giving our youth something to dream about, something to be a part of, something to find love for themselves and each other, that’s at the heart of this festival.”For AuSable Valley jazz teacher Matthew Pray, the festival is an opportunity to showcase the students’ hard work and continue a years-long tradition.“The Valley jazz band has a long history of participating in the Burlington Discovery Jazz Festival. … So, it’s sort of a collaboration between myself and my students to play the music that they’re interested in playing but also getting them to play high-quality music as well,” said Pray. Keene Valley Central School students will actually be joining the AuSable valley band for their performance Thursday. Keene Valley music teacher Rachel Murphy said she is hoping the experience will help students connect with the wider community. “I think it’s a wonderful experience for our students. It’s also a wonderful experience for our communities to see what our small schools have to offer,” said Murphy. Both teachers said that with ongoing budget challenges affecting the arts, these kinds of performances allow students to see the importance of the arts. “It’s such an awesome experience that our students in Keene, in particular with our tiny little band, that we get to go be part of this larger festival,” said Murphy.Pray echoed the sentiment: “Being able to provide music education, which creates well-rounded students and well-rounded adults, is by far one of the most important things in school districts in this area.”Burlington’s jazz fest will continue until Sunday, with student bands performing Thursday and Friday.

BURLINGTON, Vt. —

Burlington’s annual Discover Jazz Festival is in full swing, and many internationally recognized musicians will be playing all weekend, along with more than 40 local school bands.

“It is critical that young people get to be part of jazz fest,” said Flynn Executive Director Jay Wahl.

Burlington’s 43rd jazz festival includes well-known names like Jason Moran and Mavis Staples, as well as 1,000 school students from throughout Vermont and Northern New York.

“If you think about the size of our population, having a thousand kids play this festival is amazing. It’s critical. It’s kind of nonnegotiable,” said Wahl. “Giving our youth something to dream about, something to be a part of, [and] something to find love for themselves and each other, that’s at the heart of this festival.”

For AuSable Valley jazz teacher Matthew Pray, the festival is an opportunity to showcase the students’ hard work and continue a years-long tradition.

“The Valley jazz band has a long history of participating in the Burlington Discovery Jazz Festival. … So, it’s sort of a collaboration between myself and my students to play the music that they’re interested in playing but also getting them to play high-quality music as well,” said Pray.

Keene Valley Central School students will actually be joining the AuSable valley band for their performance Thursday. Keene Valley music teacher Rachel Murphy said she is hoping the experience will help students connect with the wider community.

“I think it’s a wonderful experience for our students. It’s also a wonderful experience for our communities to see what our small schools have to offer,” said Murphy.

Both teachers said that with ongoing budget challenges affecting the arts, these kinds of performances allow students to see the importance of the arts.

“It’s such an awesome experience that our students in Keene, in particular with our tiny little band, that we get to go be part of this larger festival,” said Murphy.

Pray echoed the sentiment: “Being able to provide music education, which creates well-rounded students and well-rounded adults, is by far one of the most important things in school districts in this area.”

Burlington’s jazz fest will continue until Sunday, with student bands performing Thursday and Friday.