Jazz had two groups participate this year, Jazz Lab and Jazz Ensemble. The Jazz Lab, played, “The Answer is in the Blues,” “Softly as in the Morning Sunrise,” and “Watermelon Man.” The Jazz Lab students ended up getting a perfect score. It is really hard to score perfect and really rewarding when you get it. When asked about the perfect score, sophomore Travis Vaughn said, “I would say that means that you work together with everyone around you to make sure you were doing exactly what you needed to, and you stayed together and did everything you needed.” Mr. Bill Wynn has put so much time and effort into these students to ensure that they reach their full potential.
The Jazz Ensemble was full of veteran jazz students who have been in band for longer. All of these students have worked long hours so they can perform well during these competitions. At the evaluation the students played “Ornithology,” “Dream of the Return,” and “Backrow Politics.” These higher level songs are performed by the more experienced Jazz players, “The ensemble charts are pro charts, really, only professional groups play. Most high school groups can’t touch them,” said Mr. Wynn. One soloist, junior Brice Kingsley, said this about his solo performance: “I’m not gonna lie, I was a little scared at first, but it was really exciting to be up there, for sure.” His solo performance was beautifully played, and you couldn’t tell he was nervous at all.
Mr. Wynn has sent some amazing students to higher levels of competition this year. He had six students make it to All-State Jazz Band, which only takes 20 students from the whole state; they broke records this year with 30% of the students in All- State Jazz Band being in the Legion of Generals. He also sent two students to the Governor’s Honors Program with a major in Jazz, which only accepts eight students. Mr. Wynn was very excited about these accomplishments. “It is a pretty amazing feat, and those six were such solid players. It’s been a lot of fun to work with this crew,” he said. These students have competed on the highest levels and succeeded. This band is expected to do even better next year.
