Fall Jazz Concert 2015

Kudos and congratulations to the nearly 75 student musicians in the three jazz ensembles at South High School in Downers Grove for presenting a fabulous fall concert.  The repertoire performed tonight covered a wide range of jazz styles and periods, and, was performed with a high level of artistry and sonic maturity.

If you were unable to join us in the auditorium this evening, or, if you want to enjoy a rebroadcast of the concert from tonight, please view it on the High School Cube by CLICKING HERE.

2015 Fall Jazz Concert

The final preparations are being made for the 2015 Fall Jazz Concert at South High School.  The performance tonight features student musicians in the Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band, and Jazz Ensemble.  Featured composers this evening include Horace Silver, Dexter Gordon, Benny Carter, Wayne Shorter and Artie Shaw.  The concert starts at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at South High School.  Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

If you are unable to join us in the auditorium in person this evening, please join us virtually on the High School Cube.  The concert may be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

Jazz Lab Band at Mullen's

Great job by the Jazz Lab Band last night as they opened for the Pete Ellman Big Band at Mullen's in Lisle.  The patrons were "wowed" by the professionalism and poise of the ensemble during their 45 minute set.

Special thanks to Pete Ellman and Ellman's Music for providing this experience for student musicians throughout the area.  This was a fabulous "final exam" for the ensemble as the school year draws to a close.  Well done Lab Band!

2015 Jazz Seniors

We bid a fond farewell to the South High School Jazz Class of 2015 - thanks for a great season of jazz performance artistry!

Lee Biederman

Amanda Field

Abrielle Joseph

Jack Herstowski

Nick Kersting

Karthik Pillalamarri

Chris Plantz

Cassie Plata

Emily Rzestuzko

Mason Szoldatits

Sam Tedeschi

Spring Jazz Concert with the Vern Spevak Big Band

Congratulations to the student musicians in Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble for presenting a fabulous concert last evening.  The special guest artists, the Vern Spevak Big Band, filled the house with amazing sounds, representing some of the finest performing jazz musicians in the Chicagoland area.  The concert patrons walked away sonically amazed by the performances throughout the evening.

In case you missed the performance last night, catch the rebroadcast on the High School Cube by clicking here.

Mustang Jazz musicians at the 2015 Purdue Jazz Festival

Congratulation to the student musicians from the Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band and the Jazz Ensemble for their participation in the 2015 Purdue Jazz Festival.  Over 60 middle and high school bands participated in the festival, which celebrated its’ 25^th year of existence this year.

Jazz Workshop, Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band earned Division I ratings from the panel of judges.  Jazz Lab Band earned the Outstanding Performance award, second place in their room out of 14 bands.  From those 14 bands, junior vocalist Gabrielle Henderson was named the Outstanding Soloist for the entire day, earning a scholarship to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for summer study.

Numerous student musicians were cited by the adjudicators for Outstanding Musicianship for their performances today:

Paul Gurnic, trombone

Gabrielle Henderson, piano

Myles Henderson, piano

Jack Herstowski, guitar

Joe Kreidl, baritone saxophone

Tommy Leinart, piano (2) 

Andrew Pawelczyk, drums

Dan Piccoli, alto saxophone

Cassie Plata, tenor saxophone

Max Pokyrznycki, clarinet

Emily Rzeszutko, trumpet

Sam Tedeschi, bass

Melissa Wang, drums

Kat Woltman, bass

“These Mustang musicians represented their school and community with personal and sonic dignity this weekend. “ said Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams.  “ This was a fabulous jazz immersion experience.”

Jazz Night 2015

Congratulations to the over 170 student musicians from seven different jazz bands from five different schools that participated in the 2015 Jazz Cafe tonight at South High School in Downers Grove.  The varied repertoire during the course of the evening (27 different compositions) provided the audience with a stunning breadth and depth in jazz performance.

Special kudos to the students and directors from our sender schools for participating this evening:  Matt Janus and the Eisenhower Junior High School Jazz Band, Keith Carlson and the "Friends of Jazz" from Jefferson Junior High School, Brian Ohlsen and the Lakeview Junior High School Jazz band, and Dave Balika and the O'Neill Middle School Jazz Band.  With so many students performing at such a high level, the sonic future burns brightly for Downers Grove and the surrounding communities.