Having a Blast; AHS music programs wrapping up with finale of shows
Published 10:44 am Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Trombonist Max Reynen rehearses with the Symphonic Band in Austin High School on Monday. The band program is preparing for the annual Band Blast to close the season at 7 p.m. on May 20 in Knowlton Auditorium. Jason Schoonover/jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com
The Austin High School jazz bands and vocal groups will jazz things up for the concert on at 7 p.m. Friday in Knowlton Auditorium.
Choir direct Brian Johnson said the show has been going on for the last 30 years. The high school jazz band and three vocal jazz groups will perform, and many students have improv solos during the performance.
“Jazz for kids is one of the types of music that there’s creation,” Johnson said. “There will be creating going on during the performance, both instrumental and vocal. … They can make it on the fly and that’s where it gets exciting.”
Johnson added jazz music is a type of music that’s easy to enjoy and features familiar tunes for the audience to enjoy.
The jazz groups perform throughout the year at various community functions and also performed at the State School Board Convention this year.
Audience members can expect to hear songs such as “Blue Skies,” “Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” and Glenn Miller songs. They will also perform “Skyfall” from the 2012 James Bond movie of the same title.
“It’s always an enjoyable night and a nice night to get out and watch the kids perform,” Johnson said. “It’s easy to get into the music. A lot of people say the jazz show is their favorite.”
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students/seniors and available at the door. Activity passes are accepted.
The choirs will end the school year with the Spring Choir Concert in Knowlton at 7 p.m. May 24.
Read about the Austin High School orchestra program here: Capstone to a big year
Read about the Austin High School band program here: Enjoy toe-tapping music at Band Blast
Upcoming Austin Public Schools musical events
•7 p.m. Thursday: Spring Orchestra Concert, AHS’s Knowlton Auditorium
•7 p.m. Friday: AHS Jazz Show, AHS’s Knowlton Auditorium
•7 p.m. May 18: Ellis Orchestra Concert, Ellis Auditorium
•All day, May 20: Banfield Spring Music Concerts, Banfield carpeted gym
•7 p.m. May 20: Band Blast, AHS’s Knowlton Auditorium
•7 p.m. May 24: Spring Choir Concert, AHS’s Knowlton Auditorium
All day, May 25: fifth- to eighth-grade Choralfest, AHS’s Knowlton Auditorium
