To Whom It May Concern, 12/7/2018

This letter is a recommendation for Aidan Boyd as an applicant for the JAS Step-Up Program
with the intention of him purchasing an intermediate quality bassoon. Aidan, now a Junior at Coal Ridge
High School, has been a private student of mine for over 2 years. When I first started working with
Aidan, I immediately recognized his natural gifts for musical sensitivity, sense of pitch, and extremely
bright intellect. But it was in the months and years that have followed that I have witnessed the pure
enjoyment Aidan has for playing music and his dedication to excellence and being the very best he can
be.

Aidan has been a member of many District Honor Bands, a Colorado All-State Alternate
member, Best of the West Band Festival Participant, and a member of the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra.
He has also pushed his own musical limits by participating each year in the District Solo and Ensemble
Contest. While he has been fortunate enough to be playing on a nice student bassoon for the past year,
he has come to the limits of this instrument and is truly in need of assistance in purchasing an
intermediate quality instrument that will allow him to continue to grow and pursue more complex and
advanced musical challenges.

I believe Aidan is one of those rare students who not only has the gifts and talents to be a truly
exceptional musician, but also the desire and the work ethic to achieve his goals. While he is not
planning on majoring in music in college, he is interested in continuing to play at the college level and
will probably pursue a minor in music. For him to continue playing after high school, he will need to have
an instrument of his own and an advanced enough instrument equipped with the proper key work that
is only incorporated into intermediate and professional bassoons. This level of instrument is also one of
the very most expensive of woodwinds and only assistance from JAS in conjunction with funds from his
family will enable him to achieve this goal of maximizing his skills and pursuing his dreams.

Aidan Boyd comes with my very highest recommendations, not only for the need that he is in,
but also as one of the most deserving of individuals I have every had the pleasure of working with. I have
not doubt that Aidan will be a very valuable addition to a college level music program when the time
comes. With the right instrument in his hands, his skills and musicianship will be able to shine through
and he will be a top candidate for extensive college scholarships. Your kind assistance will not only help
this young man to continue to play more advanced music for the next several years but will also play a
significant part in helping him to achieve being the very best person he can be.

My sincere thanks for your time and consideration,

Chris Harrison

JAS Music Faculty Member

WSRF Music Specialty Teacher

Bassoonist, Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra