Swinging Saints Jazz Band performs at SUNY Fredonia

The Churchville-Chili Senior High Swinging Saints Jazz Band was invited to perform at the SUNY Fredonia Jazz Educators Days March 21. The band was selected to be the featured demonstration ensemble for workshops held during the day. The clinician was Dr. John Davis, director of Jazz Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The band performed three songs as part of a lecture/demonstration by Dr. Davis, showing rehearsal technique for high school jazz ensembles. The students were also used as models for an additional session on teaching improvisation. The audience consisted of SUNY Fredonia music majors, faculty, and area public school music teachers. The workshops were sponsored by the International Association of Jazz Educators, the Fredonia Jazz Workshop and the SUNY Fredonia Student Association.

The Swinging Saints were the only high school ensemble to participate in the two-day event. In addition to their participation in the workshops, the students were treated to a tour of the campus and lunch at one of the campus dining centers.

"It was a great opportunity for all who attended," said Senior High School Band Director Kevin Mead. "The students in our group benefited from the comments and concepts offered by a leader in jazz education. Our students were also able to participate side-by-side with collegiate musicians. The college students also benefited from the opportunity to learn how to work with high school students."

Two additional Churchville-Chili music staff members, Christie Ricker and Terry Bacon, attended the workshop as part of staff development. The district is examining ways to offer new musical opportunities to students in jazz education in grades 5 through 12. This would expand the current high school jazz program, according to district officials.