Contributed Photo Shawano Jazz I won its site in the small-school division of the Purdue University Jazz Festival in Lafayette, Indiana, outscoring 11 bands from four states.
Shawano Community High School’s second-ever trip to the Purdue University Jazz Festival in Lafayette, Indiana, was a success.
Shawano Jazz I won its site in the Purdue small-school division, outscoring 11 bands from four states.
The Shawano bands were Wisconsin’s only representative in the 100-band festival held from Jan. 12-17.
“To put this in context, we tell the kids to compare this to high school sports,’’ said Christopher Kent, the Shawano director. “Winning at a festival of this quality and competitiveness tells the kids where they rate next to some of the best bands in the Midwest. This is big!’’
Shawano’s opener, “Chili Today, Hot Tamale,’’ featured solos by sophomore Emily Jones (trombone) and junior Nick Schwitzer (tenor sax).
The Hawks then rode the talents of lead trumpet Teddy Myers and the band in the ballad “Blue’’ before finishing with the Maynard Ferguson tune “Give It One,” featuring senior Mitch Micik (drums) and senior Myra Mac Murray (baritone sax).
“Teddy does a tremendous job on a very demanding piece – which the judges really appreciate,’’ Kent said. “You just don’t come across high school trumpet players who sound like he does. A key aspect of a top band is the ability for several players to stand out in the solo arena – and the majority of kids in our band are more than willing to take a solo and handle it well.’’
Mitch Micik was chosen as the outstanding soloist in the room and received a scholarship to the Blue Lake summer music camp.
“The kids have really stepped up and accepted the challenges put in front of them this year,” Kent said. “We are a young band with only nine seniors. They have really worked hard and focused.
“However, these kids can do much, much more – and we’ll focus on that as we prepare to defend our title at Rolling Meadows in late February.’’
Shawano has three competitive events left in 2015: Jazz in the Meadows Feb. 28 at Rolling Meadows High School in Illinois, the Shawano Jazz Festival March 21 and at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on April 18.
Also Jan. 17, Shawano’s Jazz II band performed well in its first competition of the year. Led by juniors Kathryn Kugel and Zach Fike (alto sax), sophomores Zach Berry (trumpet), Grace Jones (tenor sax) and freshman Hunter Krolow (trumpet), Shawano earned a Division 2 rating.
The rhythm section of Isaiah Moesch (drums), Maggie Jacoby (piano) and Lina Liu (piano/bass) was acknowledged by the judges.