All That Jazz: Mound Westonka Kids Take Center Stage

by Lorrie Ham

All three Minnesota State High School League judges agreed that the Mound Westonka High School Jazz Band earned a "Superior" rating at the Region 2AA Jazz Contest, which took place April 23 at Shakopee High School.

Pieces performed were “Run With It” (swing, blues song), “The Shadow of Your Smile” (ballad) and “Land of Make Believe” (upbeat Latin tune).
 
The MWHS jazz band was also invited to perform a pre-concert at the Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 21, where they played to a larger-than-expected audience of both Westonka supporters and jazz enthusiasts from the greater Twin Cities area. The students were then treated to complimentary tickets to the main event. 

“At our rehearsal the next day, students shared their excitement about many of the selections performed by the JazzMN Orchestra,” said MWHS band director Gretchen Chilson.

Favorites included an arrangement of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" by Gordon Goodwin and an original work by trumpet soloist Terell Stafford entitled "Dear Rudy." Mound Westonka band members were listed in the concert program, and the band was recognized and thanked from the stage by Doug Snapp, JazzMN director.
 
“It was inspirational for our students to hear this world-class band as we prepare for all of our end-of-season performances,” said Chilson.

The Jazz Band is scheduled to perform at the Coffeehouse Jazz event at St. John’s Church May 11 and 12.