Fourteen members of the Taylorville High School Jazz Band participated in the Illinois Music Education Association’s District 5 Jazz Festival on Saturday, November 12. Each member had earned a spot in one of two Jazz Bands that performed that day by auditioning back in October. The ILMEA District 5 Jazz Band 1 was directed by Jason Swagler, Director of Jazz Studies, SIUE.

They performed Wiggle Walk by Benny Carter; Cold Peanut Butter by Scott Hall; In Her Family by Pat Metheny, arranged by Bob Curnow; and Emancipation Blues by Oliver Nelson. THS Jazz Band members who were in Jazz Band 1 are: Tripp Pelichoff, Jay Bliler, Lucas Carnahan, Rhyker Wicks, Marley Dively, Kai Albright and Adrian Gonzalez-Mateos. The ILMEA District 5 Jazz Band 2 was directed by Russell Burch, retired TCUSD3 Junior High Band Director.

This ensemble performed I’m Just a Lucky So and So by Duke Ellington, arranged by John Clayton; One For Oliver by Mike Tomaro; Amber and Trinita by Doug Beach; and Chameleon by Herbie Hancock, arranged by Mike Sweeny. THS Jazz Band members who were in Jazz Band 2 are: Lydia Hopkins, Justin Champley, Carson Hefner, Gavin Enlow, Paige Cunnington, Sierra Sakautzky and Brandon Hefner. The THS students joined jazz band students selected from eight other schools from ILMEA District 5 and rehearsed for the day and performed a concert attended by the public that evening.

PHOTO CUTLINE:
THS Jazz Band members who performed with ILMEA Jazz Ensembles are pictured front row, from l to r: Tripp Pelichoff, Adrian Gonzalez-Mateos, Marley Dively, Paige Cunnington, Lydia Hopkins and Jay Bliler. Back row, l to r; Rhyker Wicks, Brandon Hefner, Justin Champley, Kai, Albright, Carson Hefner, Gavin Enlow, Sierra Sakautzky and Lucas Carnahan.