Fourteen members of the Taylorville High School Jazz Band
participated in the Illinois Music Education Association’s District 5 Jazz
Festival on Saturday, November 12. Each member had earned a spot in one
of two Jazz Bands that performed that day by auditioning back in October.
The ILMEA District 5 Jazz Band 1 was directed by Jason Swagler, Director
of Jazz Studies, SIUE. They performed Wiggle Walk by Benny Carter; Cold
Peanut Butter by Scott Hall; In Her Family by Pat Metheny, arranged by
Bob Curnow; and Emancipation Blues by Oliver Nelson. THS Jazz Band
members who were in Jazz Band 1 are: Tripp Pelichoff, Jay Bliler, Lucas
Carnahan, Rhyker Wicks, Marley Dively, Kai Albright and Adrian
Gonzalez-Mateos.
The ILMEA District 5 Jazz Band 2 was directed by Russell Burch,
retired TCUSD3 Junior High Band Director. This ensemble performed I’m
Just a Lucky So and So by Duke Ellington, arranged by John Clayton; One
For Oliver by Mike Tomaro; Amber and Trinita by Doug Beach; and
Chameleon by Herbie Hancock, arranged by Mike Sweeny. THS Jazz Band
members who were in Jazz Band 2 are: Lydia Hopkins, Justin Champley,
Carson Hefner, Gavin Enlow, Paige Cunnington, Sierra Sakautzky and
Brandon Hefner. The THS students joined jazz band students selected from
eight other schools from ILMEA District 5 and rehearsed for the day and
performed a concert attended by the public that evening.
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PHOTO CUTLINE:
THS Jazz Band members who performed with ILMEA Jazz Ensembles are
pictured front row, from l to r: Tripp Pelichoff, Adrian Gonzalez-Mateos,
Marley Dively, Paige Cunnington, Lydia Hopkins and Jay Bliler. Back row, l
to r; Rhyker Wicks, Brandon Hefner, Justin Champley, Kai, Albright, Carson
Hefner, Gavin Enlow, Sierra Sakautzky and Lucas Carnahan.