This past Thursday we were so fortunate to have Maxine Gordon visit East and West High Schools. Gordon is an author, historian, civil rights activist, Harvard Fellow, and wife of late great saxophonist Dexter Gordon.
Combo students were once again able to open for the Darren Sterud Jazz Orchestra. The DSO has been doing their Nutcracker performances for the past 14 years. We have been really fortunate to be involved as an opening act the past three years. This has provided a ton of experience for our students. This year a smaller venue meant that we sent out a combo instead of the full band. The engagement however was for two nights affording multiple horn lines the opportunity to do some small group work.
Our Jazz Ensemble I rhythm section served as a demonstration group at the WMEA Conference this past week. Presenter Jerry Tolson did a session on Rhythm Section techniques and had our students demonstrate for educators in attendance. Students also worked with Jerry in a masterclass at school both to prepare for the session and to develop some of their own skills as individual players and as a group!
We are fortunate to welcome Ron Carter back to Sun Prairie to work with students. Professor Carter got everyone singing and dancing and dealt with our foundation of swing.
Jazz Bands form Beloit and Sun Prairie met for an evening of Jazz in Beloit on Sunday. Groups were able to meet and great and participate in a Jam Session followed by each group playing an hour set for each other. The Grand Finale put both bands together as they made up a Riff Blues by ear.
Both Beloit and Sun Prairie are finalist bands for EE and will be heading out to New York next week! |
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