By Marisa Ellis
Circulation Manager
Mira Costa’s Jazz band performed at Riverside community college in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Festival on May 13 and May 14 against 12 other California schools.
According to Costa Band Booster Vice President Shirley Ritter the festival was an educational event since jazz band members took a master class after their performance and they were able to see different jazz bands perform.
“This year, Costa had two different Jazz groups performing at the festival which were the Jazz 1 which meets every day during school hours and Jazz 2 who have been meeting after school since January,” Ritter said.
According to Ritter, Jazz 1 performed “In a Mellow Tone” by Duke Ellington; “Day in the Life of a Fool” by Luiz Bonfa; “Groovin’ High” by Dizzy Gillespie; and “Misty” by Errol Garner. Jazz 2 performed “Madrid” by Erik Morales; “Embraceable You” by George and Ira Gerswhin; and “Standing Room Only” by Mike Levic.
“Throughout the year we focused on improving our language of the music and doing different styles,” sophomore Ian Cosner said. “We have been focusing on the bebob style sound when we are playing the pieces.”
According to Cosner, there were 3 judges who looked at each group that performed. They take notes during the performance which they later gave to each group during a master class after their performance. The purpose of the class was to show students more ways to enhance their instrumental abilities through pieces. Jazz 2 came in 1st in their division and our Jazz Combos took 1rst, 2nd and 3rd place in their division.
“It is a great way to hear how to further improve the pieces we have been playing all year,” Cosner said. “Having the judges critique helped us to get a better feel of understanding the piece more.”
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