Members of the Great Bend Middle School Jazz Band traveled to Hutchinson recently to participate in the Bryce Luty Jazz Festival. This event brings together students from middle and high school jazz band programs and provides the them with workshops, practice and clinics.
More than 500 students representing schools from around the state attended the event.
Band Director Don Regehr said this was the first time he had taken these students to the festival and the talent of the musicians was evident with seven students bringing home outstanding musicianship awards.
Awards were given to Amy To, piano; Emma Mayhill, tenor saxophone; Dinah Newman, percussion; Sidney Cooper, drums; Cal Dunekack, trumpet; Anna Popp, trumpet; and Sienna Cauley, bass.
The full GBMS Jazz Band made up of 7th and 8th graders entertained a local audience during a concert on Feb. 13.
The group started out with “Watch It Now!” By Rick Stitzel then followed it with “Stand by Me,” arranged by Larry Clark featuring a trumpet solo by Anna Popp. The final number was “Rumba Latina” by Victor Lopez with Amy To providing a piano solo.
“This jazz band is great to work with!” Regehr said. “They show up at 7 a.m. week after week and work hard to learn their music. I’m proud of their efforts at the jazz festival.”