| Lakewood Performing Arts Council |
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LHS Jazz Bands |
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Lakewood High School’s jazz bands have become enormously popular with our
instrumental students. In some years, the program has had to be expanded
beyond The 8th Avenue Jazz Band, our premier combo whose members are
enrolled in the Jazz class, to include as many as two extra-curricular jazz groups!
The musicians love experimenting with and exploring the rhythms and sounds
unique to the jazz art. The biggest challenge for some of them, however, is when
it’s their turn to step up to the mike and present their own solo improvisations.
Everyone gets a turn, and everyone does a fine job. Jazz students from
Lakewood compete annually in the Mile High Jazz Festival in Greeley and often
bring home solo and group awards for their performances. Costs A fee of $50 will be collected at registration for students in the jazz class, as may the District fee of $15. Both are payable to LHS. There is no LPAC assessment. Rehearsals are held during the scheduled class period, with an additional rehearsal every Friday after school in order to include those students who want to participate but who cannot fit the class into their academic schedules. Any other rehearsals are scheduled by the Director. Sectionals are scheduled by the section leaders. Performances Most of the jazz performances at Lakewood are in Spring semester, although the bands may appear on stage towards the end of the Fall. The jazz bands are an important part of concert life at LHS, performing also at school rallies and in local competitions. Their biggest moments are the Jazz J.A.M. Concert in April and the Jazz Bash in May. In January, 2005, The 8th Avenue Jazz Band took the stage at Dazzle Jazz Club in downtown Denver, and in May, 2007, the students performed live on KUVO Jazz Radio 89.3. Attire The 8th Avenue Jazz Band and its offshoots choose new shirts to wear each year. These cost $35 and may be purchased through Mr. Stephen. Students are asked to purchase their own flat-front khaki pants from Old Navy. Trips, such as those described above and any others scheduled by the Director, are not covered by class fees and are the complete responsibility of the participants. Students may wish to apply SAPs earned through fundraisers to help defray their costs. Rev. 8/02/07 Performance Schedule For Jazz Bands Current as of 8/13/07 Fall Semester: Oct. 25 Elementary concert at LHS Nov . 7 Dress Rehearsal—for Empty Bowl Concert Nov. 8 Empty Bowl Concert Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Parade of Lights Dec. 7 WinterFest Pep Assembly Spring Semester: Jan. 30 8th Grade Open House performance March 23-27 Trip to California April 2 J.A.M. Concert Apr. 5 Doug Yeo, bass trombonist with the Boston Symphony. In residence and in concert. Time & location to be determined. May 6 Elementary concert at LHS May 12 & 13 Dress rehearsals—for POPs Concert May 14-16 POPs Concert May 19 Jazz Bash May 20 Music Awards Ceremony May 23 LHS Graduation—date tentative. |