Our continuing dedication to jazz education has led to the creation of annual youth ensembles and the CPFJ Youth All-Star Band directed by Ron Waters. Mr Waters prepares arrangements to suit the particular talents of the participants each year. The band is open to all school age musicians from grade school through high school. All applicants are accepted because Mr Waters finds a niche for every instrumentalist and vocalist. The band’s rehearsals and concerts happen January through June - including a performance at the Central PA Jazz Festival.

Since 1986, CPFJ has been privileged to provide a scholarship award to a graduating high school senior in our region who has demonstrated exemplary musical achievement and who seeks to continue music studies at the collegiate level. Candidates for the CPFJ Scholarship have often participated in CPFJ Youth Bands. There have been 23 Scholarship awards made through 2007.

We have presented jazz workshops for area school music students and band directors and we have co-sponsored the Harrisburg Boys & Girls Club Music Program by providing free weekly music lessons and free instruments.

In 2001, CPFJ began sponsoring an Annual Jazz Camp targeting students at the middle and high school level. This three-day camp is unique in that it is held in conjunction with our annual Festival, affording the campers an opportunity to ‘play with the pros.’ The camp, conducted by an all-star jazz faculty, gives students an opportunity to learn about and practice jazz improvisation.

If you'd like to be a member of the band or want more information regarding the Jazz Camp, please contact us via E-mail or phone at 717-540-1010.

Civic Organizations and Community Involvement

Through the years, CPFJ has been active in supporting other nonprofit groups through joint presentations or the contribution of jazz musicians for fundraising events. The CPFJ Musicians Support Committee is available to help community organizations with their events by suggesting area musicians to employ; in some instances the Committee is able to partially defray musician fees.

The following are just a few of the community groups that have benefited from CPFJ's involvement:

The Sertoma Club
Public Radio Station WITF
Harrisburg Area Community College
The Boys and Girls Club of Central PA
Heart Association
Harrisburg Riverfront People's Park
Harrisburg Senators AA baseball team
"Pride of the Susquehanna" Riverboat Society
Market Square Concerts
Harrisburg Arts Association
The Harrisburg Symphony
Numerous elementary and high schools
The Ronald McDonald House
The Cultural Enrichment Fund
MetroArts (now Jump Street Arts Development Center)

To find out more about the benefits of including The Central Pennsylvania Friends Jazz in your upcoming event please contact us via E-mail or phone at 717-540-1010.