The FSU Chamber Jazz Initiative (CJI) is composed of both FSU graduate and undergraduate students in the Jazz program. The CJI is organizing a tour for the spring 2016 semester to present a chamber jazz piece premiered by FSU jazz trombone professor Nick Finzer last spring: "Ten Year Suite," a seven movement work for ten musicians. The concept is to present a two part event at colleges and high schools throughout the southeast region. These sessions would include a performance of the piece and a workshop session where FSU students along with Professor Finzer will interact with other students, faculty, and community members to talk about 21st Century Jazz, play examples of the piece, and share our experiences with this initiative as well as the opportunities and benefits of studying at the FSU College of Music.

This initiative will allow the students to gain entrepreneurial, educational, and touring performance experience; all of which are vital to the success of professional musicians in 2015 and beyond. The students will collaborate under the guidance of Professor Finzer to create an informative and educational workshop experience, learn to book and manage a touring ensemble, create and manage budgets, write grant applications, develop entrepreneurial endeavors, and to create a truly tight-knit ensemble through daily performances. Currently we have interest from six high schools and four universities. We would love to be able to reach out to more if we surpass our goal of $7,000.