Story, photos and video courtesy of Valdez Schools
Ten students took their instrumental skills to the Valley Jazz Festival over the weekend. While there, students participated in six clinics on instrumental and vocal jazz with music educators and professional musicians to hone their skills and experiment with new music ideas.
The Jazz Band was adjudicated Friday afternoon and performed at the concert on Friday night in the Palmer High School gym in a round robin style of performance by Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Valley schools. Valdez was the only 3A school represented. A sound byte of that performance is included. Despite a last minute bloody nose, worn out chops, lost amp cord, a piano that wouldn’t work, and several impromptu solos, the band pulled together a great performance. Improvise. That’s what jazz is all about.
Piano man Sam Norris was a participant in the High School Honor Band that played on Saturday night. Later in the concert, students were treated to performances by the visiting guest musicians.
|
|
Participating students were Ginger Keller, Isaiah Silveira, Sam Norris, Lydia Merioles, Grace Keller, Chloe Miller, Jessica Britton, Cameron Bowden, Jared Humphrey, and Alexander Britton.
