Sam Poll Testimonial for the bitter jester music festival

Read what musician Sam Poll had to say about the Bitter Jester Music Fest!

To whom it may concern,

My name is Sam Poll and I am a multi-instrumentalist musician from Highland Park. I’ve performed at the Annual Bitter Jester Music Festival virtually every summer since 2013. In doing so, I’ve witnessed the event grow exponentially. I vividly recall hauling in my own PA system to perform in 2013. However, just a few short years later I didn’t have to; the festival provided all performers with a state-of-the-art sound system (much larger than my own from a few years before) along with professional audio engineers! This was an unprecedented opportunity for my musical peers and I to enjoy far superior production value to any we’d previously experienced in our local high school and neighbourhood battle of the bands! Furthermore, Bitter Jester provided all performers with thoughtful feedback from judges - another perk I’ve never received from any other performance opportunity.

Aside from the professional-grade performances themselves, the event boasts an extensive offering of prizes for all performers (regardless of whether or not they win their Friday night battles)! Even during the years in which I lost my Friday night battle, Bitter Jester gave me the opportunity to perform at Navy Pier’s Miller Lite Beer Garden and on WGN radio!

Needless to say, performing this event quickly became thought of as a right-of-passage amongst myself and my musical peers in Highland Park (as well as the greater north-shore area). Even since “graduating” from the festival (i.e. aging out of the competition) I’ve been invited back to judge and perform as backup for other bands that I’ve met during past performances! Each time, of course, I’ve pounced on the chance to be involved!

With the benefits I gave examples of above, it’s no wonder the festival began to attract performers from beyond Illinois’ state lines. This massive influx of artists furthered BJMF’s value - establishing the event as the single best and most significant networking opportunity I’ve ever been afforded as a young musician. Here I’ve met lifelong friends and some of my favorite bands. The comradery that subsequently formed between acts is unlike anything I’ve ever seen at any other music event!

Without BJMF I’d be in a much different place than I am currently. Like I said - it’s afforded me professional performance opportunities, the chance to record in professional studios and given me unprecedented networking resources within the music and arts community. When I initially began studying music in college, I quickly noticed how truly spoiled I was by BJMF! Most of my peers at university were in awe of just how much the event provided! That’s all to say that BJMF is a truly unique and moving experience I wish all young musicians had. Furthermore, BJMF serves as a fantastic communal event for Highland Park in general. I’d even go as far as likening it to something like Ravinia Music Festival’s summer concerts. There are vendors, music fans, friends, families, performers and even fireworks during the finals typically on the 4th of July.

That being said, the disappearance of BJMF would be a serious disappointment to Highland Park’s musical youth as well as our city’s overall cultural character. Our community’s pronounced appreciation for the arts is something I’ve always been proud of as a citizen (and BJMF is one of the cornerstones of that identity). BJMF’s growth in its first few decades of existence has already proven a serious benefit to our community’s youth and overall cultural identity. Therefore I would strongly support further development of this event via enhanced funding.

Thank you for your consideration,

Signed: Sam Poll