Jazzy Challenge

At Swing into Spring, Jazz Band performs one of their four songs. Front Row: Director Mark Philgreen, Jacob Butler, Tanner Kelchen, Colby Samuelson; Row 2; Sarah Weber, Bailey Beckman, Olivia Neuzil; Back Row: Erika Hill, Matthew Salas, Mercedes Riley, Kolin Wright.

Paris Schaul
March 20, 2017

With only two seniors and over half the group being underclassmen, Jazz Band faced a great challenge.

Sophomores Kennedy Niles and Hope Straley play saxophones during “Tunnel Traffic” at Swing into Spring.
During “Free Range Trumpets,” Alyxandria Schiltz performs her trumpet solo.

To improve their sound and ratings, Jazz Band practiced every Tuesday and Thursday mornings for an hour beginning in November. During practices, Mark Philgreen, the director, would split members into sectionals for a while before performing all together. Also, they practiced improvisation solos.

According to Philgreen, throughout the season, seniors showed great leadership which helped the group succeed. At the State Jazz Band, they received a division I-superior rating. They also placed sixth out of 20 in the Coe Jazz Summit.

After each performance and competition, Jazz Band kept improving and pushing themselves to do better. Philgreen said, “I was most pleased with their Swing into Spring performance.” He loved watching the audience and their facial expressions as the group performed.