a different tune

aliza jacob & atticus johnson section editors

Performing in front of a crowd typically brings feelings of high pressure and tension. The bright lights might incite a sweat, the nerves creating butterflies. But for jazz students, where the music is fun and loose and the stakes are low, performing with each other becomes a relaxing, carefree time when everyone can simply let go.

Starting next year, the jazz club organized by band director Steve Fry will be offered as a class that will offer the same credits as band, including an honors credit for upperclassmen.

While this may seem like a major change, it simply means more time for the students to practice their music and more opportunities for them to go beyond what they do as a club, including more performances and events.

“We’re basically taking the jazz band that meets after school [and] trying to get them to enroll in the class,” Fry said. “There’s really not a change other than we’re meeting every day, rather than meeting once a week after school.”

With the addition of jazz band as a class, students get to be more involved than they were in the past. Junior Kendall McKinney has been a part of the jazz band since her freshman year. The club would work on and practice for a yearly concert during their meetings.

“[Jazz] will not be a side venture [with the development of the class],” McKinney said. “They’re finally starting to take it more seriously.”

The style of jazz music warrants a more distinctive, free style of music that may be more loose and liberating for some students. And while performances might come off as effortless, it takes the jazz band about four to six weeks to prepare for concerts and events.

“A lot of people think we just play music, [but] it does take a lot of time for the students to learn music, get comfortable [with it], and then be able to actually perform,” Fry said.

Since the jazz class isn’t limited to certain instruments, students can be experimental with their music if and when they want to.

“We will accept all instruments,” Fry said. “Some kids like to learn a new instrument. If they play [the] clarinet, maybe they want to learn sax. If they play euphonium, maybe they [want to] learn trombone.”

Even though the class is mainly for existing club members and band students, any student can audition to join to take part in the class.

“We’ve had orchestra people [as well as] people outside of the organization that join,” McKinney said.

Previously as a club, jazz band has done concerts with the CSHS and middle school jazz. For the upcoming years, the plan is to grow and perform more of these concerts and events at middle and elementary schools.

“We’ll have a jazz band concert [and] be able to play at different events,” Fry said. “We’ll be able to put together a lot more music than we do right now.”

The students themselves are a big reason why the jazz class is possible. Their love for it is brought on by the safe haven it provides for them.

“They’re very committed to playing their instrument,” Fry said. “It’s a release for them; it’s an opportunity for them to get away from the stress of the rest of the school classes.”