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Other musicians include Pianist Craig Mathey, and Sycamore High School Jazz Ensemble

On Saturday, February 11, 2012, the Sycamore Music Boosters proudly welcomes the Ronald Carter Quartet with special guest Bryan Carter as they host its fourth annual night of jazz and classical music entitled “A Note to Remember” from 7:00pm – 11:00pm at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore. The event will feature the highly acclaimed Ronald Carter Quartet with his son, Bryan Carter, Craig and Hanna Mathey, the Sycamore High School Jazz Ensemble, and other school ensembles of the Sycamore music program. An elegant, sweet and savory hors d’oeuvres buffet and coffee bar will be included along with a raffle and silent auction of over 50 gifts and prizes generously donated by local businesses.

Ronald Carter is currently a Professor of Music at Northern Illinois University and serves as Director of the Jazz Studies Program and Director of the NIU Jazz Ensemble. Carter has additionally presented workshops as guest conductor, artist, clinician, and adjudicator for various universities across America and has directed All State Jazz Bands in 20 different states. Ron has professionally performed with Clark Terry, Lou Rawls, Frank Mantooth, the Jimmy Dorsey Band, and many others; and he has recently performed in Bogota, Columbia at the “Jazz in the Paques” Jazz Festival and with Paquito D’Rivera at the Detroit International Jazz Festival. His list of honors is extensive and includes Downbeat Magazine’s Hall of Fame, the 1991 Milken National Distinguished Educator Award, Jazz Unites – Chicago “We Love You Madly” Jazz Award, and NIU Board of Trustees Professorship Award.

Bryan Carter, Ron’s son, currently attends the prestigious Julliard School in New York City, and has already begun his career with regular performances across the United States and abroad. Bryan developed a passion for music at the early age of three beginning on the drums, and by age eleven had already studied with various jazz masters. During high school, Bryan was accepted to the prestigious Brubeck Summer Jazz Colony, the Vail Jazz Workshop, and the Grammy Jazz Ensemble. As a new artist, these outlets lead to national and international venues including the Jazz Bistro, Dizzy’s Coca-Cola Club, The Vic, the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Lima Peru Jazz Festival and many others. Additionally, he has played with artists including Clark Terry, Jon Faddis, Ted Nash, McCoy Tyner and numerous other artists. Furthermore, the Bryan Carter Quintet recently released its first CD titled, “Enchantment”.

Also performing together will be family duo Craig and Hanna Mathey. Craig, a life-long resident of Sycamore, has been a musician since age ten. He began with accordion lessons, eventually taught himself to play piano and keyboards, and at eighteen joined a pop/country/wedding band until the mid-80s, then formed a duo that performed throughout the area for eight years. Currently, Craig may be heard singing and playing piano Friday nights at Villa Verone in Sycamore. Craig worked as a brick mason in the family business for 32 years and now currently works as a Business Development Officer for the National Bank & Trust Company of Sycamore.

Hanna Mathey, a 2001 Sycamore Graduate, states music has always been a part of her life. She received classical music training via the Suzuki violin method and learned contemporary music with her father, Craig. Hanna received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education with the viola from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in 2005. She currently teaches elementary music for the Chicago Public Schools. Hanna continues to play a wide variety of music with Back Country Roads Band, the Morgan Park Presbyterian Church Praise Band, and with various other Chicagoland musicians. Craig and Hanna Mathey can be found performing together at various charitable, fundraising, special events, and weddings in the area.

Tickets are required for this adult only community event and are $20 per person which includes musical entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and dessert, coffee bar, raffle and silent auction. A cash bar will also be available. Tickets are available now to purchase at the Sycamore High School Main Office or by contacting Jennifer Ruff at 815-899-3466 or via E-mail at Note2Remember@gmail.com. Please visit our web site at www.sycamoremusicboosters.com for more information. The Sycamore Music Boosters is a group of families and friends of students enrolled in music education classes in Sycamore Schools. This fundraiser will aid in the purchase of instruments, uniforms, and scholarships for Sycamore’s talented musicians.

On Saturday, February 11, 2012, the Sycamore Music Boosters will host a special night of music and delightful treats entitled “A Note to Remember” from 7:00 – 11:00 PM at Blumen Gardens in Sycamore. This annual event is being held to raise funds to support the music education of Sycamore’s children. It will feature the Sycamore High School Jazz Ensemble and faculty of the Sycamore music program along with professional musicians including the spectacular jazz musician Ron Carter.

We are asking businesses for their financial support through sponsorship of the evening or a donation of a raffle prize. If you would be interested in sponsoring this Sycamore Music Boosters event, contact Ken or Janet Olson, sponsor coordinators at 815-520-2857, email olsonpt@comcast.net, or fill out the attached sponsor form and send to the address listed. Your sponsorship will aid in the purchase of instruments, uniforms, and scholarships for Sycamore’s talented musicians. In return, your business will be promoted in the event program, the local newspapers and on the Sycamore Music Booster website.

As always, thank you for your consideration. We look forward to a great evening of music and fun in support of our talented youth!