Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance Graduates its First Class

two years the seven students have learned from the 'jazz masters' and have
 worked intimately together in the classroom and on stage to form a cohesive
 jazz ensemble.  The graduates will thank founding sponsors with a short
 performance of original compositions at an intimate pre-graduation luncheon
 for friends and family of the students and the Monk Institute.  Special
 honorees of the day include, Aretha Franklin and Clark Terry who will receive
 honorary doctorates at the 3 p.m. commencement ceremonies.  Senator Ted
 Kennedy will give the commencement address.  The seven graduates of the
 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance come from varied backgrounds and
 represent the nationalities of five countries.
 
     WHO:   The class of seven -- trumpeter Darren Barrett (England),
            saxophonist Ignaz Dinne (Germany), guitarist Ofer Ganor (Israel),
            trombonist Jamal Haynes (U.S.A.), bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa
            (U.S.A.), pianist Helen Sung (U.S.A.), and drummer/steel pan player
            Sean Thomas (Trinidad)
            Aretha Franklin -- Recipient of Honorary Doctorate
            Clark Terry -- Recipient of Honorary Doctorate
            Senator Ted Kennedy -- Commencement Speaker
            Thelonious Monk, Jr. -- Chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute
             of Jazz
            Robert Freeman -- President of New England Conservatory
 
     WHEN:  Sunday, May 18, 1997
            12:15 p.m. -- Brunch (limited attendance, please call
             for invitation)
            3:00 p.m. -- Graduation
 
     WHERE: New England Conservatory
            290 Huntington Avenue
            Boston, MA
            Luncheon -- St. Botolph Building, Room 118
            Graduation -- Jordan Hall
 
     The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance is a two-year
 college-level program dedicated to teaching its students about jazz theory,
 tradition and performance through instruction by jazz masters and providing
 outstanding performance opportunities.  The program is part of the Thelonious
 Monk Institute of Jazz, a non-profit jazz education organization founded in
 1986 by the Thelonious Monk family and the late Maria Fisher, a former opera
 singer and lifelong devotee of music.
 
     CONTACT:  Sarah Reis, 202-973-0345, for the Thelonious Monk Institute of
 Jazz.
 

SOURCE  Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz