Chesterton High School Jazz Ensemble performed for an enthusiastic crowd this past weekend at the Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) annual Jazz Festival held at LaPorte High School. The CHS ensemble performed in what is known as the Group I division which is a class of competition dedicated to the more experienced high school ensembles capable of performing advanced high school and/or college level music. The group was adjudicated by three experienced jazz educators in all areas of big band jazz performance, including solo improvisation. The three judges unanimously awarded the CHS band a Superior Gold division rating for their performance.

The CHS group performed three selections at the festival, including an up tempo Les Hooper swing chart entitled “Fast Forward,” that featured alto saxophonists Alyssa Villarruel and Brian Moore, trombonist D.J. Rizer, and tenor saxophonist Chris Jones. The second work featured Trumpeter Max Sangerman on a jazz ballad that was written as a tribute to the great Clifford Brown entitled,“I Remember Clifford.” The final selection was a Latin salsa style work by composer Victor Lopez that featured both Davis Benson and Neil Hicks soloing on trumpet, as well as Chris Jones soloing on tenor sax.

The members of the CHS Jazz ensemble include: Alyssa Villarruel, Brian Moore, Tori DeMoss on alto saxophone; Walter Helminski and Chris Jones on tenor saxophone; John Denfeld baritone saxophone; Andrew Kay, Nathan Dodd, D.J. Rizer, Breanna White on trombones; and Max Sangerman, Justin Brown, Neil Hicks, Davis Benson and Matt Ols on trumpet. The rhythm section includes Elliot Borg and Dan Dellumo on drums and percussion; A.J.Ello and David Campbell on guitar; Ben Mullin on piano; and Mitchell Wright on acoustic and electric bass. The director of the CHS Jazz Ensemble is Michael Scheiber.

The next area performance for the group will be at the Valparaiso University Jazz Festival on Monday, April 14 in the Valparaiso University commons. The band will complete their scheduled performance season and celebrate 35 years of jazz education in the Duneland community when they perform at their spring concert entitled ‘All That Jazz’ opus XXXV. At this event, the CHS Jazz Ensemble will have the opportunity to work and perform with several world class professional musicians. This event is slated for Saturday, May 17 at 7 p.m. For more information on these events, contact the CHS Music Department 983-3730.

Posted 3/3/2008