Mark the dates... On March 29 - 31, the 2012 Highland Jazz Festival takes place, right here in sunny Gilbert, Arizona. What is the Highland Jazz Festival? A three day event for regional high school Jazz bands. Over 1,800 students will have a chance to work with some of the top jazz clinicians in the country; learning and honing their craft. Pubic concerts will be held on Friday and Saturday night that will include top high school students, the ASU Concert Jazz Band and two world … [Read more...]
Open Letter to the Gilbert School Board: On Music Education
Dear Gilbert School Board Members - Long time no chat! Somehow my annual pilgrimage to one of your meetings to beg, plead and grovel for funding for music and fine arts programs never materialized this year. This is good. I do want to share a little story with you, one that I hope you will read, and remember, when the inevitable discussions around music programs occur -- now or in the future. Maybe it will be funding issues, whether to cut or (hopefully) expand music programs and/or staffing. … [Read more...]
The Final Season
In just a few hours, the Highland High School Marching Band will take the field for this season's first performance. My daughter Lauren will be there, starting her fourth and final year as a clarinetist in this award winning band. It's a bittersweet day. We've watched her and her many “band geek” friends grow and develop over the last few years ”“ into not only amazing musicians, but into wonderful young adults. They've laughed together, cried together, and celebrated together. These amazing … [Read more...]
With Memories of a Friend in their Heart, the Highland High School Marching Band Wins a State Championship
Here I am, sitting in a San Diego hotel room at 4:00 in the m0rning, weeping like a baby”¦ Just a few hours ago, the Highland High School Marching Band won first place in the Arizona State Marching Band Championship! My daughter Lauren is a member of that band. I just don't have the vocabulary or the writing skills to express how proud of her I am, and how sad I am that I wasn't there to witness it. She and her band mates worked so hard for this championship. Two hours from now, give … [Read more...]
Highland Jazz Festival: It’s going to … rock? Jam! Swing!
These two fine young adults, with their impeccable fashion sense, are members of one of the Highland High School Jazz bands. (Matt plays the trombone and Lauren the saxophone. Both also play other instruments in the Marching Band and the Symphonic Band.) The Highland High School Band department is sponsoring the First Annual Highland Jazz Festival on March 26 ”“ 27, 2010. This is going to be an amazing event for local and regional high school and college bands as well as fans of … [Read more...]
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