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ABOUT
The First Friday Club gives you an exciting new opportunity to get involved with young music students around San Diego. Budget cuts in our school system have forced many public schools to abandon music classes. Unfortunately, this means thousands of students no longer have access to the enrichment these classes offer. Director of the First Friday Club, professional bassist Glen Fisher is working within this community to creatively supplement the lack of music in the schools. By bringing professional award winning musicians to schools to do workshops & provide assistance to teachers in the classroom, creating venues for kids to perform, teaching private lessons, and coaching rock, jazz, and blues bands from ages 6 and up, we are helping hundreds of kids realize their potential as musical artists. We believe that performance experience and the preparation involved in a ‘gig’ create one of the best learning experiences. The benefits are various. The kids not only continue to experience the joy of playing an instrument and performing onstage, but also learn how to present themselves in front of people, work as a team, act responsibly, and communicate well. They also acquire a soulful musical foundation and an understanding of different styles of music and cultures. Your donation will rock a kids world!
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BIO
Glen Fisher, Founder of FFMC, has worked as a bassist, composer, arts education consultant, and musical director all over Europe, South-America, and USA for the past 40 years. He has been tagged 'the poster child of versatility' by KSDS Jazz 88.3FM. At 58, he's a veteran band leader and musical director, and a virtuoso sideman as well. Fluent in four languages, he teaches and composes in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and German. Glen studied at the University of California at San Diego and the Vienna Academy of Music in Austria.
Bassist:
Steve Gadd, Graham Nash, Eartha Kitt, Nel Carter, Jay McShann, James Moody, Red Holloway, Charles McPherson, Bobby Shew, Jackie King, Jason Scheff, The Drifters, Mato Grosso, Hannibal Means, Yes Brasil, Steve Lacy, Sigi Finkel, Allegre Correia, Glen Fisher Trio, Con Alma, Gomango Invasion Orchestra, Arvella, Fish and the Seaweeds, Earl Thomas, Sergei Dreznin, Benjamin Schmidt, Jimmy Mulidore, Tom Scott, Brian Lynch, Rob Mullins Trio, Ellis Marsalis & Delfeayo Marsalis.
Artistic Consultant:
San Diego City Schools, San Diego Youth and Community Services(SDYCS)Humphrey's, Urban League, Scripps Cancer Research, Imperial Beach Film Festival, Quail Botanical Gardens, ARTS (A Reason To Survive). Glen started a music programs for the SDYCS Storefront Shelter for Homeless Teens and PhotoCharity (501c3), and was the Performance Coordinator for Blues In The Schools (Blues Lovers United San Diego, (501c3) which is an affiliate of the National Blues Foundation.
Glen brought KSDS 88.3 FM and the San Diego City Schools together to bring Wynton Marsalis' incredible new jazz curriculum called Lincoln Center's Jazz for Young People to San Diego's schools.
Composer:
CBS Movie of the Week, Time Warner, Pepto-Bismol, KSDS 88.3 FM, City of San Diego, Radio 1310AM- B.C. Mexico, KUSI TV-San Diego, Arnold Schwarzenegger, KPBS, San Diego Youth and Community Services, Parallax Films, Goodnight Kiss Publishing, Scene Stealer Publishing
Awards:
2019/20 George Washington Honor Medal for his service to the Community; 2002 Just Plain Folks finalist; 1995 &1997 Tijuana, Cultural Center Recognition in Music; 1994 & 1998 Jim Croce Award; 1994 San Diego Music Award as Musical Director w/Josias dos Santos; 1993 San Diego Music Award as Musical Director w/Earl Thomas.
Various:
Founder of the FIRST FRIDAY MUSIC CLUB, INC. (501c3), Co-host of the KSDS 88.3 FM weekly show Touchin Bass, Frequent arts expert for the Reader and KUSI TV, Elected to the Peninsula Community Planning Board 2004
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- Coaching Correia Middle School & Point Loma High School Guitar classes & CMS Jazz Band 6+ hours a week, more as needed- cost for one school year $20,000
- Jazz Workshop with Artist in Residence at Correia Middle School & MBHS cost $12,000
- Playing at various fundraisers and public events- cost depends on event
- We sponsor students lessons- cost $500/month
- Professional musicians and students performing at local venues - cost varies approx. $650/event
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The First Friday Music Club in 2022
The First Friday Music Club had a wonderful 2022 thanks to many people and organizations. First, we would like to thank all the parents, grandparents and friends who put in many hours bringing the kids to performances, rehearsals, lessons, etc. and are an ongoing source of donations. We also would like to thank the students for their tireless work to improve as musicians, showing up for all the events with enthusiasm (also thanks to the parents), and doing their best. Thanks to all the venues that give the students an opportunity to perform and the fabulous volunteers of time, things & more! Without all of you, with your generosity and love of music, there would be no First Friday Music Club!
Who made it all possible through GRANTS & DONATIONS:
- Ryan Family Charitable Foundation
- Charlie & Pamela Pendrell
- Amy Ryan
- Paul Sullivan - PES Electric
- Nazarian Family
- John Malthaner
- Point Loma Summer Concerts
- Charles Eggers
- Jon Koehler
- Gayle & Carl Nuffer
- Kerry & Christina McKay
- Aquarius Bar & Grille
- Marcus & Lori Hale
- Harold & Hazel Russel
- Joyce Wilder
- John Gary
- Detail in Progress/Prentice St.Clair
- Koehler Kraft
- Ed Collins Youth Tennis Fund
- Larry Zeiger
- Denney Family
- Sheryll Roonan
- Irby Family
- David Tillson
- Kinnear Family
- Gene & Tami Ratliffe
- Brian Kelley
- Lisa Estrada
- Bonita McVaugh
- Diane Sullivan
- Grim Family
- Donations at FFMC Events
- Donations of time & items
- Parents, grandparents, relatives, friends & fans!!!
ACCOMPLISHMENTS in 2022:
- A total of 36 performances @ 20+ Venues
- Point Loma Summer Concerts & Auditions
- ‘Light Up the Night’ – Village lights on Rosecrans
- Wooden Boat Fest @ Koehler Kraft
- Mira Mesa Street Fair
- YMCA Blood Drive
- ‘Halloween in the Hills’ in Mission Hills
- YMCA Youth Homeless Walk
- San Diego Food Bank Fundraiser
- Co-sponsored a Jazz Workshop with New Orleans trombonist & educator Craig Klein @ Corriea MS and MBHS
- Co-sponsored a Jazz Workshop with Jazz trumpeter & educator Derek Cannon @ Correia MS
- Co-Sponsored professional musicians- to work with Correia MS Jazz Ensemble (Total of 37+ hours)
- and beginning & intermediate guitar classes at Correia Middle School & Point Loma High School (155+ hours)
- Birthday parties & other private events
20+ DIFFERENT PLACES where the FFMC performed:
- Humphreys Backstage Live
- Bay City Brewing
- Ryan Family YMCA
- Mira Mesa Street Fair
- PL Little League Field
- Mission Hills
- The Good Bar
- La Donna Restaurant
- Jennings House Eatery
- Mission Bay Yacht Club
- 710 Beach Club, Pacific Beach
- Koehler Kraft/ Shelter Island
- PLHS PAC
- Point Loma Assembly
- Private Events & Parties
THANK YOU!