Renowned Navajo flutist featured at band fest

World-class flutist Jerome Jim was the featured guest artist at the recent Diné Band Concert Fest in Chinle. Jim wowed the crowd of with his solo presentations during the two-day music conference.

World-class flutist Jerome Jim was the featured guest artist at the recent Diné Band Concert Fest in Chinle. Jim wowed the crowd of with his solo presentations during the two-day music conference.

CHINLE, Ariz. - It's been a long winding road for award-winning Navajo flutist, Jerome Jim - one that started with undergraduate studies in music at the University of New Mexico and ending with his internship-graduate work at the Conservatory Von Amersterdam in the Netherlands.

Jim now works full-time in his music studio in Albuquerque, N.M. and is being heralded by music critics in the Southwest as "a marvel" and "a truly gifted musician."

Jim was the featured artist at the recent Diné Concert Band Festival held at Chinle High School where a group of reservation area school bands participated in a two-day work session under the careful guidance of Eric Swanson, Chinle High's music teacher.

Students ranging in age from 16 to adult members of the Navajo Nation Band spent time sharing music, collaborating on selected band pieces and featured Jim as one of their own tribal band members who participates when his touring schedule permits.

Jim was born in Ft. Defiance but was raised in Albuquerque. He has always had an interest in music, which started when he was small with an interest in piano. He gravitated toward flute as he matured and was able to take lessons during school.

Once he showed discipline and promise, his mother made every effort to make sure he had the professional lessons and training that has brought him fame as a professional flutist.

Jim was so disciplined about his music during high school that he was recognized by one of his teacher-trainers who recommended he go to New York to study further. It was after his New York experience that he was admitted to the Amsterdam Music Conservatory.

The Diné event was a warm welcome home to Jim, and he blew the audience and students away with his instrument, his command over the selected pieces he played and his attention to the entire musical experience.

Playing three separate selections, including one of his favorites - the third movement from Bach in E minor - it was easy for the audience to get carried away to another world.

Event organizer Swanson was overjoyed at being able showcase Jim to his students and the visiting crowd at the Chinle High Wildcat Den.

Sharmita Benally, junior from Wildhorse High School, traveled from Montezuma Creek, Utah to be at the music fest. She was so impressed and in awe of Jim's playing that she was afraid to talk with him because she said she felt he was so professional and gifted that she would never be able to play as well as him.

Benally started playing the clarinet when she was in seventh grade and has matured into playing the contra-bass clarinet.

Jim was pleased to see her at the concert and took the time to encourage her playing.

His comments to Benally were obviously well-placed because she walked away grinning from ear-to-ear after Jim told her to continue to practice, practice and practice, because she was already quite good.

"[He] is awesome, amazing. I never heard anyone play live like him before. He really does paint a picture when he plays and I want to be just like him. A real musician." said Benally.

Members of the Navajo Nation Tribal Band were also in attendance and played three of their marching pieces, two of which are featured in tribal or off-reservation parades.

Under the direction of band conductor, Stephen Blatchford, the Navajo Nation Band meets about four times a year to practice since there are over 70 members in their band.

Auditions are constantly being held for new Navajo Nation Tribal Band members, which require that the musician be at least one-quarter Navajo and no younger than 16 years of age.

Navajo Nation Tribal Band information is available by calling (928) 729-5443. You must leave a message and they will return the call for audition information or scheduling requests.

Kim Schaefer, Wildhorse High Schools' music teacher and one of the mentors for the Diné Fest, has participated in past Chinle-sponsored music events and was asked what she thought her students came away from the event, learning and understanding.

"I think my students learned that people from all over, young and old, can perform music because music is a universal language. Music requires patience, persistence and discipline. Our work together here during this Diné festival emphasizes these characteristics and our music classes increase a student's level of patience, persistence and discipline. Skills learned here in our music world last a lifetime," said Schaefer.

(Editor's note: A correction was made to Chinle band director Eric Swanson's last name, which was inadvertently misspelled in the print edition.)

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