Big Band Jazz Concert Set Friday Night

By Tanjua Damon

Are you looking for something to do on Friday night that will make you be-bop in your seat? The third annual Big Band Jazz concert at Newtown High School is the place for you.

Newtown High and Middle School jazz performers will play a series of songs for the audience to enjoy May 25 beginning at 7 pm. The concert is free and open to the public.

Three groups will perform various selections of jazz music. The Newtown Middle School Jazz Ensemble will perform five songs. The Newtown High School Jazz Lab will perform five songs and the Newtown High School Jazz Ensemble will perform 12 songs. The students encompass grades six through 12 that will be participating in the concert.

“The reason we do this concert is we like to bring the audience an awareness to this program,” James Dumas band director said. “There’s so much music to cover.”

Concert attendees will hear swing music, funk, Latin styles, and even some rock-n-roll, according to Mr Dumas. The concert will be a collective set.

The jazz program at both the middle school and high school allow for students to try various styles of music as well as other instruments if students choose.

The middle school program helps students prepare for what will be expected once they reach the high school, according to Mr Dumas.

“It allows kids somewhat of an idea of how they will transition into high school,” he said.

The high school jazz ensemble consists mostly of juniors and seniors, while the jazz lab is geared toward freshman and sophomores or upperclassmen that decided later to try something different.

“They get a couple of years in each group,” Mr Dumas said. “It’s also an opportunity to try something [instrument] out. It’s a fun program to do. It really does give them something to do after marching band.”

The entire community is invited to the free concert in the high school auditorium at 7 pm.