Jazz band THS performs at District 5 Jazz Festival

Fourteen members of the Taylorville High School Jazz Band performed at the Illinois Music Education Association’s District 5 Jazz Festival on Saturday, November 12. Each member had won a spot in one of two jazz bands performing that day by auditioning in October. The ILMEA District 5 Jazz Band 1 was led by Jason Swagler, Director of Jazz Studies, SIUE.

They performed Benny Carter’s Wiggle Walk; Scott Hall’s Cold Peanut Butter; In Her Family by Pat Metheny, arranged by Bob Curnow; and Oliver Nelson’s Emancipation Blues. Members of the THS Jazz Band who were part of Jazz Band 1 are: Tripp Pelichoff, Jay Bliler, Lucas Carnahan, Rhyker Wicks, Marley Dively, Kai Albright and Adrian Gonzalez-Mateos. The ILMEA District 5 Jazz Band 2 was led by retired TCUSD3 Junior High Band Manager Russell Burch.

This ensemble performed I’m Just a Lucky So and So by Duke Ellington, arranged by John Clayton; One For Oliver by Mike Tomaro; Amber and Trinita from Doug Beach; and Chameleon by Herbie Hancock, arranged by Mike Sweeny. THS Jazz Band members who were part of Jazz Band 2 are: Lydia Hopkins, Justin Champley, Carson Hefner, Gavin Enlow, Paige Cunnington, Sierra Sakautzky and Brandon Hefner. THS students joined students from selected jazz bands at eight other ILMEA District 5 schools and rehearsed for the day and performed a concert attended by the public that evening.

PHOTO CUT LINE:
Pictured in the front row, from left to right are members of the THS Jazz Band who have performed with ILMEA Jazz Ensembles: Tripp Pelichoff, Adrian Gonzalez-Mateos, Marley Dively, Paige Cunnington, Lydia Hopkins and Jay Bliler. Back row, left to right; Rhyker Wicks, Brandon Hefner, Justin Champley, Kai, Albright, Carson Hefner, Gavin Enlow, Sierra Sakautzky and Lucas Carnahan.