Four For Yossi Regev

Four For Yossi Regev

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    The prestigious Thelma Yellin High School in Tel Aviv is home to some of Israel's most talented musical teens.  The school's Jazz group is heading to Atlanta in January to take part in one of the most premier Jazz conferences in the world, the 2013 Jazz Education Network Conference. This group of 10 seniors earned the invitation because of their hard work and sheer talent.  Yossi Regev is the Director of the Jazz Department at Thelma Yellin.  Since his posting at the school, the senior Jazz Group has been asked to play at exponentially more international conferences.   Karen Isenberg Jones spoke to Yossi about his influence in the Jazz Department and what he hopes to gain by encouraging his pupils to play internationally.
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    Yossi Regev Yossi Regev
     
     

    ​KIJ: First of all I want to ask about your own background. When did you begin playing?

    YR: I was an ordinary guy. At the age of 7 I decided to try and play an ordinary instrument. At that time I was fat - a big kid. I went to a teacher and he took one look at me and told me I will play the trombone. I couldn't even reach half the length of the trombone, but I kept at it. At this point I began to understand what is music and what is a band.  At the age of 12 I was in the best youth band in Israel. I was very lucky. I was doing all the right stuff and the very highest levels. I was lucky enough to have very good teachers until age 18. Four to 5 of my teachers came directly from the Israeli Philharmonic!

    Eventually I went onto study music both in Israel and at Berkley School of Music in Boston. I played professionally for years. I joined Thelma Yelllin in 1994 as an ensemble director. After just 2 years I became the leader of the whole Jazz Department.

    KIJ: Talk to me about your choosing to focus on bringing more international exposure to your pupils.

    YR: Since 1996 I decided to bring international influence to the department. I wanted my students to go to more international venues. At the time the International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE) was the biggest conference in the world. Since 2003 we were selected to come to this conference every year.  In 2008 the IAJE went bankrupt. Now, we have the Jazz Education Network (JEN).  Usually the JEN doesn't choose the same group or school twice. This is our second year in a row being picked by the JEN to attend their conference!

    KIJ: What do you hope to gain by bringing more international exposure to your students?

    YR: These 10 students are from 12th grade. I have 20 in a class. Half of them went to Germany last year. So before they graduate I have 20 students trained so they can go anywhere in the world to study. Any school would welcome them.  They know how to write, play and behave in the worldwide arena. At 17-18 years old they are very mature. 

    We shoot for the highest targets. This group writes their own music! You don't find this in any other High School. This group writes 10 to 12 pieces - about an hour worth of music. They practice alone. I barely give them any direction!

    We have already been invited to Germany next May. So now my 11th graders have something to work toward. 

    KIJ: Is there anything else you want to say?

    YR: Yes.  I really want to emphasize that these students have to earn their entire trip. We don't get any extra funding from the state, city or school. These students have to work with their family to completely raise all the funds they need to go to these international conferences. I want everyone to know this.  

     
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