Spartan Messenger

March, 2008

A Year in the Life of Skyline’s Vocal Jazz!

Being a member of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble at Skyline is nearly a fulltime commitment! We have a full year of musical events, both locally and out of state.

We always start our year off with a September Jazz Retreat at Camp Don Bosco in Carnation. The extended time of an overnight together let’s us delve into the heart of jazz, and to form musical and social bonds for a great start on the year. Our first jazz performances occur in the early part of November, with a concert at Skyline, and a daylong jazz festival, held at one of the schools within our League.

Holidays are a big part of our performance plan, with Christmas events at school and in the community, and with our Valentine’s Sing-a-grams, delivered to the Skyline staff and students over Valentine’s Day.

Concerts are a driving factor of our rehearsal schedule. We always have an upcoming event which determines what and how we are rehearsing. Main concert events include the Jazz & Java concert with the Jazz band in February, the Baroque Festival in May (which combines the choirs of all Issaquah high schools and the Evergreen Philharmonic), and the quarterly concerts we have in the Skyline Theater.

Trips are part of our year as well. We have attended the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho for the last several years. The opportunities for student competition at that festival, along with the concerts and workshops hosted by professional jazz singers and players are among the best ever! We have traveled to other states over the years, including California, Louisiana, and New York. Each trip has offered amazing performance venues, terrific competitions, and fabulous sites and lots of fun!

Currently, the SHS Vocal Jazz is planning for next year. Almost the entire group is graduating in June so auditions are being held later in March and early April for singers, and for a new rhythm section. We need a pianist, a drummer, and a bass player! See Mrs. Ziebart, in room 647, or email ziebartn2@issaquah.wednet.edu to find out more about the audition process!