The Chesterton High School Jazz Ensemble performed this past weekend at the Indiana State School Music Association’s (ISSMA) annual Jazz Festival held at LaPorte High School. The group was unanimously awarded the a Superior Gold division rating for their performance.
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 adjudicated by three experienced jazz educators in all areas of big band jazz performance, including solo improvisation.
The jazz band performed three selections at the festival including: an up tempo swing chart by famed jazz composer Les Hooper, entitled “Poppin’ Fresh”. This piece featured junior guitarist Bobby Gotsch. The second work was a beautiful haunting ballad by Thelonius Monk entitled “’Round Midnight” which featured senior Robert Rosenau on flugel horn throughout the entire work. The group closed their festival performance with a Latin jazz/funk fusion piece entitled “Phunky Speakin’”. This piece featured two students who performed improvised jazz solos, Bobby Gotsch on guitar, and Mike Lipinski on Alto Saxophone.
Members of the CHS Jazz Ensemble include: Trey Bonnema, Andrew Delich, Bobby Gotsch, David Hodgkiss, Mark Hodgkiss, Henry Hoham, Rowan Holsen, Olivia Kaiser, Michael Lipinski, Jackson Lucken, Bobby Maletta, Devin Moser, Robert Rosenau, Kylie Sabol, Sydney Sarver, Collin St. Mary, Joe Stento, and Garrett Swanson. The director of the CHS Jazz Ensemble is Michael Scheiber.
The next performance for the group will be at the Valparaiso University Jazz Festival on Tuesday, April 7. The group will also perform briefly as part of the fourth Annual Duneland Foundation “Gala” event on Friday, April 24.
The band will complete their scheduled performance season and celebrate 42 years of jazz education in the Duneland community when they perform at their own Spring concert entitled, “All That Jazz” Opus XLII. At this event, members of the CHS Jazz Ensemble will have the opportunity to work with and perform with several world-class professional musicians. The concert is slated for Saturday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chesterton High School Auditorium.
For more information on these events, contact the CHS Music Department 983-3730.