A. Project environment: profile of the organisation and local community

JAZZIT - History:

In 1981, some young, dedicated and jazz-loving people had the idea to bring some jazz music to Salzburg. There had been some clubs in the late 1940s and 50s in Salzburg during the American occupation. But not anymore in the 1980s. In a then little theatre, this handfull of people organised their first jazz concerts. Hence the current association´s by-name "Jazz im Theater (jazz in the theatre)".

In 1996, the theatre was closed and Jazzit had to wander about in Salzburg, to be guest in other institution`s places. Still, the concert activities were going on - on a more regular and popular basis. There even existed the International Jazz im Theater Festival, which had to be discontinued after 15 times due to lack of money (a - by the way - quite well known problem for associations and institutions active in culture and arts. One reason amongst others is lacking financial support from local and national government.)

After the "homeless years" it was for all involved in the Jazzit activities a great, overwhelming joy to have finally found a fix venue: In 2002, the Jazzit:Musik:Club, commonly (and briefly) known as "Jazzit", opened its doors in the basement premises of the "Volxheim", the communist`s party home in Salzburg. In addition to a concert hall which offers place for about 200 people, there is - seperated by organisation - a small but chilly and casual bar, the "Jazzit:Bar". This is where the jam sessions as well as concert with free entry take place.

JAZZIT - Activities:

From January to December, with 2 months of closing for summer, about 180 events (concerts, jam sessions, school parties, jazz workshops, workshops of any kind for kids and young adults,…) per year are taking place in the club. It is an open space for events, organised by thirds, cultural initiatives and private persons.

One of the most important features of the club are the jam sessions every tuesday (entry free!), which developed into a kind of meeting/communication point for local musicians as well as many folks. What´s more, there is the possibility for (young) jazz musicians to perform in the bar on a little stage; amongst others to get some practice. (Background: Although the University Mozarteum is well known over the borders of Salzburg for its classical music studies, there is no academy of jazz music in Salzburg. So everyone intending to study jazz music has to move to Vienna or Graz....and Salzburg has to face the problem of young jazz musicians becoming an endangered species.)

The concerts in the hall include all kinds of jazz, ranging from traditional forms of jazz to electronica, from avantgarde to contemporary jazz and improvised music as well as worldmusic and dancefloor jazz. Hence it is no surprise that the audience is a colourful mixture of age, gender, culture and attitude.

But the Jazzit is more than a place for meeting people and listening to live music. Since 2004, the "Jazzit:Edition", the home-grown, own Jazzit CD label, exists. Twice a year, so the ambitious idea behind, there have been/will be a new release. This means a important opportunity for young musicians because finding a label and distribution is actually quite difficult.

JAZZIT - Staff, Members, Support:

And who are the people behind the Jazzit, who keep the club working? Who will be there to support the volunteer?

On the one hand, there is the paid staff: First of all, Andreas Neumayer, manager/artistic director/producer/pr all in one person. He is supported by a part time assistent.

And on the other hand, there are about 8 (unsalaried) team members, who help out at concert evenings and meet once a month to discuss current issues. Without them, concerts on a regular, one a week basis, could not be accomplished.

We have not yet had the pleasure to welcome a volunteer - this will be our first time. With the help from him/her we certainly will be able to work on a higher level, to reach for higher aims.

Akzente International - coordinating host organisation:

Akzente will be responsible to coordinate application procedures and arrival of the volunteers, also housing, local transport, german course, transfer of pocket money and foodmoney, support in freetime activities.

Infos on Salzburg:

Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria (170 000 inhabitants) and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Situated 300 km west of Vienna at the border to Germany (about 150 km east of Munich), the city is a famous visiting place fór tourists from all over the world. Famous not just for his most popular "son". Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but also its Altstadt, or "old town", one of the best-preserved city centers in the German-speaking world and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. This area, which is dominated by its baroque towers and churches and the massive Hohensalzburg fortress, is surrounded by two smaller mountains, the Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg as the green lung of the city.. Not only birthplace of Mozart, but also setting for parts of the musical and film The Sound of Music. The region around Salzburg is noted for its Alpine setting, it is very scenic with lakes and mountains allowing a lot of leisure-time activities. There is also an university at which 20.000 students are enrolled. Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach river, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The mountains to Salzburg's south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak - the 1972 m Untersberg - is only a few kilometers from the city center.

B. Proposed activities for EVS volunteers

The volunteer will support the work in the field of planning/organising/realising events/projects at Jazzit. She/He will learn about marketing, the relations between media and culture, how to develop the contents of an event, to realise concepts/events. Whereas the volunteer will always be invited to voice his own ideas, his own opinion, and realise (if feasible realise) his/her own projects.

We offer the volunteer to learn or improve the ability to communicate with a lot of people of different communities/groups. Additionally, the volunteer faces the possibility to learn about the realisation of projects in arts and culture. The volunteeer should become/feel as a part of the team.

As a daily help (tasks depending on volunteer´s interests and abilities), the volunteer is integrated in the house, the team and work. Intercultural communication and the social contact will be a profit for both of us: for the volunteer and for the Jazzit team.

A typical week will start with a office meeting in order to discuss accumulating current topics/tasks. On concrete work and working hours will be decided with the volunteer and discussed in the team. A monthly meeting of the Jazzit:Team is meant to support the internal communication, to communicate the coming up events and any other business. The volunteer will lend a helping hand at concert days, for example fetch the artist(s) from the station, organize transports to hotel/venue, organize accommodation and catering. As the Jazzit has ist own label, the Jazzit:Edition, the volunteer could do some public relation stuff concerning the previously released CD(s). Once a month, Jazzit:Radio is on air; this could also be a fielnd of the volunteer to get aquainted with.

C. Volunteer profiles and recruitment process

The volunteer should be interested in arts and culture; he/she should be open-minded, flexible, communicative.

Preferably basic English skills and some (basic) knowledge of German would be an advantage. Basic computer skills and interest in music, some experience in media or cultural institutions would be fine, but not necessary.

D. Special needs (if applicable)

None.

E. Risk prevention, safety and protection

Working conditions and working environment at Jazzit meet Austrian terms/regulations. To avoid crises/critical situations, the volunteer will be assured of appropriate supervision, of a mentor.

Housing will be in a safe enviroment and meet regular standards.

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/evs/aod/hei_form_en.cfm?EID=32000248581