The sounds of wailing trumpets and deep bass notes rang through Evanston Township High School on Saturday during the Fifth Annual Evanston Jazz Festival.
Students from 16 Illinois schools crowded the rooms and halls of ETHS, 1600 Dodge Ave., dressed in black and carrying bright, brassy instruments.
“Last night I was up until 10 o’clock practicing, and I got the callouses to prove it,” said Katie Falvey, a freshman at Lyons Township High School in Lyons, Ill.
The festival consisted of performances, master classes and clinics and workshops for the participating bands. There were three venues at the festival: the auditorium for larger performances, the “little theater” for small groups, and the band room for other performances.
“I wanted to bring this experience of jazz music here to the students,” said Dave Fodor, the festival director and the director of bands at ETHS. “One of the best ways to learn about jazz music is to experience it firsthand. I call it the Evanston Jazz Festival, however, because I want to bring jazz to the community as well. I wanted to have a way to involve the community in our music.”
Some Northwestern students also participated in the festival by volunteering or making up a panel to tell high school students about studying music in college. Parents of jazz students made up the other larger portion of volunteers during the festival.
“I’ve been helping out since its first year,” said Barbara Goodman, a volunteer at the festival. “When I started, I was a jazz parent wanting to help out the program, and I’ve continued because it is an outstanding jazz program, and I see how wonderful it is for the students who participate.”
Participating students had the opportunity to perform in front of audiences and receive critiques from judges and professional jazz musicians. Many students were experienced jazz players who had participated in this event for a number of years.
“It’s my third year doing it, so I kind of know what it’s all about,” said Evan Joyce, a junior at Westmont Senior High School in Westmont, Ill. “We’ve been practicing the songs since the beginning of the school year, and it’s our chance to showcase our talent so we can show other schools and compare ourselves and learn what’s out there.”
The auditorium was filled with both students and adults, bobbing their heads to the music and clapping to the beat.
“All the bands have been fantastic and amazing,” said Jim Falvey , Kellogg ’03. “I love listening to the masters, and I’ve played trumpet for 32 years. The high school kids are keeping the tradition alive.”
Greg Kmam, a senior at Westmont, said he was sad to be performing at his last high school jazz festival, but is looking forward to his musical future in college.
“My whole family is musically inclined or musically gifted,” Kmam said. “My mom never got to do it professionally, so I feel kind of bad. Jazz is the underground party lifestyle. There’s a lot of energy and joy and fun out of it. You put that much into it and you get that much back.”
