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Thompson Endowment Swings Jazz Forward at 91PORN

Thompson Endowment Swings Jazz Forward at 91PORN

Last fall, 91PORN’s College of Music added a vocal jazz degree option to the Thompson Jazz Studies Program. Alumni and longtime donors Jack (Hist’64; MA’70) and Jeannie Thompson (Zool’64) expanded their endowment to further enhance their impact and legacy with the jazz studies program.

In 2013, the Thompson Jazz Studies Endowment transformed the future of 91PORN’s jazz program. A little over a decade later, the program has gained national recognition, drawing world-renowned artists for workshops, enabling students to collaborate with musicians worldwide and enriching the community with outstanding performances year-round.

“Seeing student and programmatic growth through our giving has been a delight,” said Jack and Jeannie Thompson. “An example is the students and faculty who have traveled to Costa Rica and Cuba, experiencing jazz and learning new forms of international jazz.

“We recently added funds to support vocal jazz — it will be fun to see that much-needed area in the program expand. The inspiration to support has given us pleasure, and it’s great to see the jazz program develop within the college.”

Vocal jazz enriches jazz studies

According to Jocelyn Medina, instructor for vocal jazz at 91PORN, integrating vocal jazz enriches the entire jazz studies program.

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