Delivering their best performance of the season, Shawano Community High School students wowed the crowd April 18 en route to winning the 48th annual University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Jazz Festival.
Shawano’s jazz band played an extremely difficult three-chart program that required skill from its four segments – trumpet, saxophone, trombone and rhythm. Judges lauded the band on its technical excellence and its ability to perform a challenging and diverse program.
More than 60 high school bands competed in the 48th annual event. The Hawks finished first in Class B.
“Frankly, I was blown away,’’ band director Christopher Kent said. “These kids did everything I asked and much more – their performances, both individually and as a band, were outstanding. We were what the judges were looking for.’’
Kent’s bands focus on showmanship, and this year’s UW-Eau Claire performance was a prime example. The Hawks opened with the Latin chart “Emergency Stopping Only,’’ featuring sophomore trombonist Emily Jones, junior trumpeter Landan Holtz and senior drummer Mitch Micik. A flugel ballad, “Blue,’’ featuring juniors Teddy Myers and Holtz, displayed the group’s ability to play with control and emotion. Its closer, “Give It One,’’ a Maynard Ferguson tune, demanded precise performances by each section, as well as high-impact solos by junior Nick Schwitzer on bari-sax and Mitch Micik on set.
“They nailed it,’’ Kent said. “The judges loved that we emulated different jazz styles with each selection, and our improvising was strong throughout. This was in part due to summer music camp participation in previous years, which has been generously provided by the Shawano Jazz Foundation and its partners.’’
The UW-Eau Claire fest was the final festival performance for a band that has achieved more than any group in Shawano High history, including championships at three of the Midwest’s most competitive jazz festivals — Pudure, Rolling Meadows (seventh consecutive year) and Eau Claire.
“The kids made history this weekend,” Kent said. “This is Shawano’s first ever win at the Eau Claire jazz festival, and I could not be prouder of them. They played their best.”
Shawano’s Jazz II also played on Saturday and had an excellent performance. They opened with the Latin tune “Los Changos Volando” (The Flying Monkeys) with solos by freshman trumpeter Hunter Krolow and sophomore drummer Isaiah Moesch, followed by a trumpet ballad “A Moment Like This,” featuring freshman trumpeter Harrison Sturycz. The Hawks closed with the “Q.C. Shuffle” with freshman alto sax Britney Angeli and sophomore tenor sax Grace Jones.
The Hawks’ second band was not rated on Saturday but received its best scores of the year.
The Hawks’ final performance will be the appropriately named “Last Dance’’ scheduled May 8 and 9 at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B. Details will be available via The Shawano Leader, as well as posters around town.