There are a variety of interesting extracurricular activities at HHS, including jazz band. This extracurricular includes two jazz bands, Jazz 1 and Jazz 2. Jazz 1 is an auditioned Jazz Band; in order to get in, the audition must be completed and passed. Jazz 2 is an open jazz band where anyone can sign up. In general, jazz band focuses on sight-reading, freestyle solos, and swing music. There are only certain instruments that are allowed in jazz bands, so if the student does not play one of these, they would have to learn a new instrument. If the participant plays clarinet, flute, or oboe, then they must learn to play the saxophone or a brass instrument. Through this, students explore new instruments and music.
Just after marching band season, the jazz band starts as most band members are in both bands. Last year, the Jazz Band was a little different due to safety restrictions that restricted members from attending any of the competitions and only holding one performance. During the performance, masks had to be worn in between songs. “We are hopeful that many of the festivals that were canceled last year will be open again this year,” stated Mr. Groon, the Jazz Band 2 director. The performances scheduled so far include the Palace City Jazz Festival, Augustana Jazz, Optimist Jazz Festival, and Jazz Night for family and friends. Although the music pieces haven’t been determined yet, Mr. Wahl, the Jazz 1 conductor, says, “I do like to program a variety of styles, including swing, funk/rock, and Latin.”
Most of the students in Jazz Band shared a pleasant experience, including a sophomore participant, Megan Krueger. She was in Jazz Band 1 last year and hopes to make it into that same band again this year. Megan stated, “Jazz Band was a fun experience where I got to build connections with people in my section and other sections. My favorite part of jazz band last year was getting to play fun pieces of music with some of my closest friends.” Another student, a Jazz Band 2 participant, Kiara Preston shared, “I think my favorite part was being with people who I enjoy being around.” To her, jazz band was “a very fun, energetic, and relaxed before school extra-curricular activity.” Let’s hope that Jazz Band is even better when the students get to perform more than once this season.