It isn’t uncommon to see a student or staff member at PVHS walk past the choir room or theater and stop to watch and hear the voices of the high school choirs. Few people are able to do the same during the late night rehearsals of Pleasant Valley high school jazz choirs, Jazz Nouveau, Jazz Etc., Belle Tones, and Leading Tones.

Under the direction of Meg Byrne, Catherine Lyon, and David Baxter, students can compete and participate in jazz choir events across Iowa year-round. Most recently, students participated in the first ever West Liberty Jazz Festival where the PV group Leading Tones achieved first place.

With different competitions and festivals happening every other month, time is any jazz choir’s best friend. Each group is usually scheduled for one two-hour rehearsal per week. Due to recent weather and school/activity cancellations, students are working with a tight schedule.

February 16th is the due date for any video submissions from high school jazz choirs auditioning for the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships. Natalie Murphy, senior and Leading Tones member, discussed the difficulties PV’s groups are facing. “We usually are able to choose which is best, but we are more limited due to time constraints and lack of proper rehearsals.”

Despite the hectic schedules, choir students are attracted to jazz choir because of the opportunity to sing different music pieces they don’t typically get to sing in their everyday choir period. Along with this, the traveling and participation in jazz choir events are, as senior and Leading Tones member, Jimmy Guest says, “One of the biggest highlights of all my high school choir memories.”

Guest not only enjoys singing at each competition but also seeing all the other school performances.  “Being able to go out and perform where there are many groups who put in the same dedication as we did is amazing. Seeing what they did different, how they work with each other, and just being able to watch them perform is all part of the fun.”

Taze Wilson, sophomore and member of Jazz Etc., takes in the different festivals and competitions as a learning experience. “You can learn a lot just by watching other performers. I love listening to a variety of styles and skills.”

Wish Jazz Etc. and Leading Tones luck as they perform at the Solon Jazz Festival February 15th in Solon, Iowa, and keep your ears open for jazz choir performances here at Pleasant Valley High School.

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Over February 1st and 2nd, Pleasant Valley’s three jazz bands embarked on a trip to Chicago. They attended performances by world-class musicians and participated in clinics and master classes at New Trier High School.

Jazz One departed a little earlier than the others to participate in a clinic at Northern Illinois University. Senior Shreya Khurjekar commented on how beneficial an outside, professional perspective was on their playing. “Dr. Reggie Thomas offered insight into the smallest things we could change about our music, but they ended up making a huge difference in the overall sound of our ensemble.”

After their clinic, Jazz One met up with the other jazz bands at Andy’s Jazz Club, an example of a classic Chicago experience. Visitors enjoy their meal while immersed in the culture of jazz. Khurjekar described the mood of the club by saying, “The entire atmosphere just gave off the jazz vibe…from the way the announcer talked to the way the musicians were jammin’ out on stage.”

The next day, after Jazz Two and Jazz Three had partaken in their clinics, the students split up by instrument for some master classes. Each master class was taught by the members of the Count Basie Orchestra. Since each instrument has a different role in a jazz band, these incredible musicians were able to give the players specific advice related to their instrument.

Later that night, the students attended a concert at New Trier High School and were able to see the Count Basie Orchestra in action. The performance inspired Regan Breen, a senior at PV. “I can’t imagine being able to play like that, but seeing those people perform showed me it is possible if I were to continue with jazz music.”

Throughout the weekend, jazz band members were able to connect and learn from expert musicians in a variety of ways. Between the concerts, master classes, and clinics, this was an eye-opening experience for those who participated. The jazz band trip was an opportunity to experience the heart of jazz.

These students now have new techniques to utilize in their future jazz endeavors. Because of the jazz band trip, the next jazz concert will exhibit their more refined skills and talents.