The Greene County High School Jazzatonics jazz choir has a pair of prestigious performances coming up.
The 13-voice group will perform Friday, March 21, at the Jazz Experience Day at the American Choral Directors Association’s north central regional convention on the Drake University campus. Three jazz choirs from each of the six states in the region were selected to perform. Other groups from Iowa are coming from Alta and Spirit Lake. Along with Iowa, states in the north central region are North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
All groups will perform for each other and for a clinician. The Jazzatonics are scheduled for 1 pm at Sheslow Auditorium. The “Parade of Choirs” concert at 4:30 pm will feature one piece by each of the 18 jazz choirs.
The Jazzatonics will also perform in the class 3A Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships Tuesday, April 1, at Ballard High School in Huxley. This is the Jazzatonics’ third year as a group and the third trip to the Jazz Championships. Last year the group placed fourth.
The selection for both events was based on videotaped auditions.
The group rehearses outside of the school day. “Now the hard work really begins” director Dave Heupel said after learning of the invitation to the championships. “At the start of the year, I have them set their goals for the year, and the steps to reach them. One goal was to make the championships, and another was how they want to do once they get there. Looking at the other schools that made it, it will be very tough. I know a number of very good jazz choirs in the state in class 3A that didn’t get in. 3A has become a very competitive class.”
After many years, the high school show choir, the J-Town Singers, was discontinued in 2011. The Jazzatonics formed as a jazz choir (no dancing) during the 2011-12 school year.
Heupel explained that student interest in the show choir had been waning and costs were increasing. “I knew jazz choir would be a much better experience from an educational standpoint – harder, more intricate music, and only focusing on the singing. It gives me a chance to focus in on technique and singing, and not on who stands where, or whether someone’s hand is a ‘jazz hand’ or a ‘blade.’ They have really responded, and it seems that the harder music I choose, the more they get after it.”
Heupel said the members work very well together. “In jazz, there are new things to try – improvisation for example. A couple years ago, they were very hesitant to try it, but they encourage each other so much, now most of them welcome the chance to put themselves out there and try something new.”
Members of the 2013-14 Jazzatonics are (from left) Kayleigh Harrah, Logan Hoyt, Annie Palmer, Jack Schilling, Kenna Marquardt, Parker Willis, Kallie Citurs, David Petersen, Michael Kennedy, Kennedy Sims, Noah Eberle and Victoria Sims. Molly Hoskins is not pictured. Accompanying the group is a trio of Jasmine Mobley on piano, Wyatt Funcke on bass, and Reid Lamoureux on drums. (Reminder: click on the picture to enlarge in a new screen)
