Last Saturday at Rochelle Township High School the top jazz students of ILMEA District 8 participated in this years Jazz Festival. Genoa-Kingston had 5 students who earned spots within the two instrumental groups. In Jazz Band II there was Christina Lopez on Tenor Sax, Alex Barton on Trombone and both Zach Edwards and Halle Brynteson on Trumpet. In the Honors Jazz Band, Senior section leader, Connor Hansen represented GK in the trumpet section for the 2nd year in a row. We also had GK Jazz Bass player, Katie Sosnowski make the Vocal Jazz group.
In Jazz Band II they were under the direction of Kevin Schoenboch who is a director in the Oswego High School @OHSpantherBands. He is an accomplished trombone player and Jazz and Concert Band Director. They performed a slower swing song, "Sugar" arranged by Mark Taylor, "Indigo Hippo" by Michael Collins-Downden and a Count Basie standard and GK favorite, "Switch in Time."
The Honors Jazz Band was directed by Dr. Sam Fagaly who is the Director of Jazz Studies at Eastern Illinois University. Dr. Fagaly is also an professor for applied saxphone and has an extensive performance background. The Honors Jazz Band performed "Alright, OK, You Win" arranged my Sammy Nestico, "Flotation" by Les Hooper, the ILMEA All-State piece "State Line Strut" by Ellen Rowe and "Skyhawk" by Fred Sturm.
Even though the concert seems early at 4PM, it is a really long day for both students and directors. It is always great to see dedicated jazz students from all across northwestern Illinois working together to put on a concert in 1/2 a day. GKHS was represented well with respectful students who were prepared to play the music. Music for next years auditions is already on the GKHS Band Website. Check it out!
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
ILMEA District 8 Auditions 2016
This saturday GK had a successful day at Huntley Middle School in DeKalb for the 2016 ILMEA auditions. Students were dressed to impress and ready to sing and play their hearts out for some judges. This year was the first year of all blind auditions for the high school, so it really didn't matter if they were dressed to the nines or like Sully from Monsters Inc.
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| Joely ran in the Harvard CC meet where GK Grils placed 2nd. She then 'ran' over to DeKalb for her audtion! |
I am happy to announce the following students who made it into the ILMEA District 8 Concert Band and Jazz Bands!
Concert Band:
Jess Kurpius - Flute
Christina Lopez - Bass Clarinet
Jayna Masters - Clarinet
Hannah Temes - Clarinet
Jazz Band:
Christina Lopez - Tenor Sax
Connor Hansen - Trumpet
Zach Edwards - Trumpet
Halle Brynteson - Trumpet
Alex Barton - Trombone
The District 8 Jazz Concert will be on November 12th at 4PM at Rochelle Township High School and the District 8 Band Concert will be on November 19th at 7PM at DeKalb High School. Please feel free to come out and support those students and the hard work they've put in.
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