The Jazz Band performed at their annual Java Jive concert with Hunt Middle School band students, on Dec. 17. 

“This concert is a fun way for us to share what we have been doing with some fun jazz music and other different styles,” jazz band director James Courtney said. “Concerts also give us a deadline for prepping a piece and working towards perfection.” 

To prepare for the concert, students work on practicing pieces and imporving their skills.

“For this concert, the biggest thing is being able to read chords and understand the music theory and recall that fast enough to be able to play notes that fit within each chord during the progression,” Courtney said. 

Courtney focused on improving the students’ improv skills so their performance could run smoother which led to only a select number of kids getting to perform at this concert. 

“We start things at the end of football season, normally around the first week of November” Courtney said. “We have auditions and then we kick things off with the rehearsals on Wednesdays and Fridays.”

Through these students’ determination they were able to pick up on these skills. 

“Going into this concert, I was trying to improve on my improv and solo parts,” alto saxophone player Ethan Katzman said. “It is one of my weak points and I have seen significant improvement from last concert to now.” 

With the concert right before the holidays, students took it as a chance to also get in the holiday spirit. 

“It is a time to share all of the hard work we’ve put into preparing our pieces while celebrating the holiday season,” flute player Kellen Trice said.