Lenape Regional High School District students will be presenting their third jazz festival this month on Feb. 22 at Seneca High School.
Cherokee’s first show in the series was held at Lenape High School on Feb. 15.
The upcoming Feb. 22 jazz festival will be the first time in two years that Seneca will be the host.
According to Seneca band director Doug Barber, two years ago the festival was snowed out and canceled.
Last year, not enough schools showed interest in the festival.
“We’re excited to be hosting all four bands from the district,” Barber said. “They’ll all be coming out to compete.”
Barber is looking forward to new acoustics in the auditorium following a recent upgrade of the facility.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing the improvement and how everything sounds,” he said
Cherokee will be one of 10 area high schools competing for top honors awarded at the end of the night.
Cherokee’s jazz band is made up of 19 students from all classes.
“They perform classic and contemporary original big band material,” jazz band director Earl Phillips said.
Cherokee has two jazz classes that meet during the school day and one ensemble that participate in competitions.
Phillips strives to be creative when choosing the music students will be performing.
“Throughout the course of the year, we will always add new repertoire into our set list. It’s something I’m very proud of and something the band members enjoy as well,” Phillips said. “I try to include a classic piece of literature from some of the heavy hitter bands, for example, Duke Ellington, Basie, Thad Jones, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, as well as perform the music of contemporary big band composers such as Dave Holland and Bob Mintzer.”
He remains confident in his students and their ability to compete with the other schools.
“In the past three years, we’ve placed third in Division I NJAJE State Finals,” Phillips said.
Jazz competitions aren’t the same as marching band; it differs in size, sound and the fierceness of competition.
“I find there is a great difference between marching band and jazz ensemble mainly because of the main characteristics of each ensemble,” Phillips said.
“Marching band’s reliance on precision versus jazz’s reliance on improvisation should set two completely different vibes.”
Jazz bands don’t rely on choreography or the “flashiness” of the show for points, either.
The ensembles will take the stage to play in front of local musicians for the top spot.
Trophies are given out at the end of the night for each section and to the best soloists.
“Out of all of the players of the night, the four best soloists are awarded for their performance,” Barber said.
The festival will be held on Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. in the Seneca High School auditorium.
Seneca High School is located at 110 Carranza Road, Tabernacle.
For more information, visit the Lenape Regional High School District website at lrhsd.org.
See photos for this event online at www.marltonsun.com.
