The James Hart Bands enjoyed an active performance calendar in February and March, highlighted by outstanding performances at area adjudicated events. February opened with a chamber recital on February 6, which featured all 60 Symphonic Band members divided into small ensembles of 3-6 musicians. The concert allowed each student to shine in a more individual spotlight, and exposed students to works by great composers, such as Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, and Purcell, among others. Later that week the Varsity Band joined fellow sixth grade choir and orchestra students to present the annual James Hart winter music festival, featuring two songs from each group. The following week, on February 15, the James Hart Gold Jazz Band took their show on the road to perform at and participate in the 30th Annual Prairie State College Jazz Invitational. After performing a challenging set that included jazz standards and newer works, the group received comments and a helpful clinic with award-winning artists Larry Gray (bass, faculty at the University of Illinois) and Edward Peterson (saxophone, faculty at the University of New Orleans). The group grew immensely from the feedback and put it to good use, putting on a solid performance for a home crowd just a few weeks later. Joining the Gold Jazz Band on March 6 were the Maroon Jazz and Symphonic Bands in the James Hart Bands Music in our Schools Month concert. The diverse program featured a traditional New Orleans brass band arrangement, along with works composed or made famous by Benny Golson, Glenn Miller, Brian Balmages, and Henry Fillmore, and highlighted with an inspiring arrangement of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. After its performance, the Symphonic Band received feedback and short clinics from area band directors, including HF Director of Bands Sarah Whitlock. On Saturday, March 10, the Symphonic Band traveled to Minooka Junior High School to perform at the IGSMA District VI Organization Contest. At Contest, bands are not ranked against one another, but receive a rating based on the overall quality of their playing from a panel of three judges. After an inspired performance, the band received the highest rating of Division I from all three judges, marking its third consecutive Division I Rating, and fourth in the last five years. The Symphonic Band now sets its sights on performances at two events in April: the SSJHSA Conference Band Festival, hosted at James Hart on April 12, and the State of Illinois Concert Band Clinic at Illinois State University on April 21. |
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