We are fundraising to give some of Southern California's most talented young musicians the opportunity to travel and perform in New Orleans, the birth place of jazz. The Mission Bay Music Program in San Diego, California has a 30 year tradition of preserving and encouraging the performance of jazz.  These students have given hundreds of hours and raised over $20,000 for the school music program by performing through the state spreading this music at community concerts and educational outreach events. 

They have done so much for the community, it would be amazing to see the community give back to them and help them take their music to New Orleans!

This year’s goal is to take our “Preservationists to Preservation Hall.”  We would take our top music ensemble, The Preservationists, to New Orleans to experience and learn from the true birthplace of the music they have dedicated their high school careers to.  The band would have the opportunity to meet New Orleans’ musicians and play side by side.  We would visualize the creation of jazz and the history of this country by traveling the city and playing in its venues.

Mission Bay High School is a Title 1 school with a very culturally diverse population. Most of our students come from low income households.  Out of the select 11 students that would be participating, they share 6 different nationalities; Hispanic, Japanese, Korean, Eritrean, African American and Caucasian.  This is definitely something that is very unique to our school and city.  These students have limited resources and I strive to enrich their lives and give them experiences that will foster a sense of purpose and pride in their heritage. We are a melting pot of cultures and music.  To have all these students from various backgrounds come together and form a cohesive group focused on traditional jazz is a true accomplishment.

This learning experience would give students the opportunity of a lifetime!

All funds raised will go towards:

Travel expenses (plane tickets from San Diego to New Orleans)

Hotel Costs (4 days and 3 nights)

Instrument Rentals (larger instruments cannot be taken on plane)

Transportation in New Orleans for performances

Food: We gotta eat!

Additional funds raised will help supplement the recording costs for the Preservationists new album "Moldy Fig Blues" to be released in April or May of 2012.

"My life was forever changed by the music program at Mission Bay High School.  So much so that as a student I knew I had to come back and continue the program that had given me so much.  Six years into my teaching profession at Mission Bay, or what I like to call "home," we have raised a new generation of musicians that are determined to keep the music we love alive and flourishing in Southern California." -JP Balmat, Music Director and Mission Bay Alumnus