Last Wednesday, Dec. 10, members of Oviedo’s Jazz Ensemble elective, more commonly referred to as jazz band among students, set up outside the Media Center before first period for their informal holiday concert. On the north end of the amphitheater, students and staff gathered around to watch.
“I heard the music playing when I got to school,” said Advanced Placement Psychology teacher Hildreth House, one of the four teachers in the audience. “I then remembered that Mrs. Darling had said [the] Jazz Ensemble was playing in the morning.”
Two days after their amphitheater appearance, the jazz band played again in the Lion Showcase, a two-night performance from the Fine Arts department, also including band, colorguard, choir, dance, and theater. By first performing at a smaller scale, the jazzists were better prepared for this larger event.
“We would have any and all students of each section or each group stay after school and rehearse with each other in order to create, like, a successful, hopefully successful performance tonight and tomorrow,” senior and tenor saxophonist Adrian Font said.
The Jazz Ensemble as a whole is directed by band and guard director Zac Chowning; however, Font is the ensemble’s woodwind captain.
“I kind of oversee whatever needs to be done [for the woodwinds], be it like sectionals or music accuracy,” Font said. “[At the amphitheater performance] I was just helping out my peers, making sure they had all their stuff there. You know, having enough music stands, making sure people have their music in general.
Leading into the third song, Font would point at his bandmates, giving specific instructions to individual musicians who have been key players in the ensemble. Font hopes his instruction will help underclassmen musicians become self-reliant.
“I wouldn’t say [preparing the underclassmen is] required but I do feel encouraged, I suppose, to prepare them because once I’m gone, you know, who’s going to make sure these kids have their music, and who’s going to make sure they have their stands and everything,” Font said.
Pianist Shane Toole, for one, listened to instruction and took part in several acts at Showcase.
“[Toole is] in my 7th period, so he talks to me a lot about upcoming band stuff,” Duncan said. “I [attend] for the support of friends and, like, also, I do like the music.”
Currently, the spirit of holiday music boosts energy for the school day for both students and staff.
“Music soothes the soul,” House said. “Bring on as many fine arts performances as we can!”
