volunteer
When you volunteer at the annual JEN conference, you become part of the family. Offering your time and skills is a tremendously meaningful and selfless step in serving the jazz community.
As an organization, we operate with only three full-time staff members and a small number of part-time staff. Most of our annual and conference activities are handled by volunteers. Each year, we look for dedicated members of the jazz community to act as badge checkers at the annual conference. YOU could be just who we’re looking for.
CONFERENCE part-time VOLUNTEERING guidelines
- In exchange for service, JEN provides volunteers with a FREE Conference registration badge
- Applications are only for part-time conference volunteers.
- JEN membership is NOT required to volunteer.
- You must be 18 or older.
- A minimum of 16 total hours of volunteer service at the conference is required.
- Conference volunteers are required to check in at the Volunteer Desk daily.
- Part-time volunteers are responsible for their own travel, housing, meals, and other expenses.
- The conference volunteer application will close without notice as positions are filled.
- Volunteer applications are reviewed and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Notification of acceptance and scheduling will take place beginning in late October.
2027 Conference Sponsors & Partners
PRODUCING SPONSOR
DownBeat Magazine (Maher Publications) produces the annual conference program and show guide as well as ongoing JEN member benefits year-round.
ADVANCED ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
The Herb Alpert Foundation supports the general operations of the Jazz Education Network through a generous grant.
ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
Yamaha Corporation of America provides invaluable concert piano, digital keyboard, and drumset resources for the performing and clinic venues of the Conference, the Sisters in Jazz program, and provides support for the Inspirations Stage.
Conn-Selmer, Ludwig, & Musser facilitate drum sets and vibraphones for the performing and clinic venues of the conference and provides support for the Visions Stage.
Jazz Road, a program of Atlanta non-profit South Arts, is an artist-centric touring and residency grants program to spread jazz throughout the country. Jazz Road provides support for the Inspirations Main Stage.
A JEN Founding Institution partner, the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation is a fiscal sponsor of the ongoing JEN Research Fellowship and provides support for the New Voices Stage.
The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame / Jazz Hall Radio is a proud media partner of the Jazz Education Network, providing valuable advertising support.
Travel • Merchandise • Festivals (TMF) is the exclusive merchandise partner and an official travel partner of the Jazz Education Network and provides awards and banners for the annual conference.
SHOWCASE SPONSORS
The KHS America family of instrument brands facilitate drum sets & music stands for the performing and clinic venues of the conference and support for the LeJENds Stage.
Zenzalai Music is a woman-owned indie jazz label providing support for the New Voices Stage.
The Midwest Clinic is a sponsor workshop & exhibit partner of the annual JEN Conference.
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
Lisa & Raymond Schwarzkopf are proud sponsors of the 2027 Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo Program.
JazzWire is the exclusive sponsor of the Exhibitor Welcome Reception and curates the “Adult Learner Track.” Look out for sessions marked “JazzWire Recommended” in the program show guide.
Preservation Hall Foundation protects, preserves, and perpetuates the musical traditions, culture, and heritage of New Orleans & is a proud sponsor of the 2027 Founders Donors Reception.
Encore Tours celebrates the work of the Jazz Education Network as a sponsor, in-part, of the 2027 Founders Donor Reception.
Lawrence University is a proud sponsor of the 2027 JEN College Fair.
Louisville Public Media is a proud sponsor & media partner of the 2027 JEN Conference.
JazzComposersPresent.com, online space where composers, musicians, and listeners come together to celebrate jazz music, is proud to support the 2027 Young Composer Showcase.
ArrangeMe, a Hal Leonard Company, is proud to support the 2027 Young Composer Showcase.
program partners
The JENerations Jazz Festival is presented in partnership with Music for All.
The AAJC is the official presenting partner of the Donald Meade Legacy Jazz Griot Award and a co-presenter of the HBCU Spotlight Performance and the New Orleans All-Star Youth Jazz Orchestra.
Indiana University Press is the publishing partner of the Jazz Education Network’s peer-reviewed research journal, Jazz Education In Research and Practice.
Special thanks to our production partners Aria Lights (stand lighting), Fender Instruments (amplifiers), Axxis (AV production & support), and Mobile Acoustic (jam session basses).
SPECIAL THANKS!
The Jazz Education Network is grateful to all who help make our annual conference possible including the JEN Staff, Board of Directors and dozens of volunteers.
THANK YOU!