The Pattonville High School jazz ensemble was selected to perform in front of approximately 800 music educators from across the state by competitive blind audition at the 2023 annual Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) In-Service Workshop/Conference on Jan. 26 at Tan-Tar-A. Band director Denny McFarland submitted a recording of last year’s jazz ensemble performing, and out-of-state judges chose performers without knowing anything about the group. Groups chosen to perform over the three-day conference represent high schools, colleges and community groups in Missouri. Only one high school jazz band is chosen to perform at the conference each year. This is the first ensemble from the high school to be selected to perform at the conference. In 2018, the choir at Pattonville Heights Middle School performed at the conference, including a song written for the choir by a local composer.
“The Pattonville music faculty members that have worked with these students through the years are amazing and the students are incredible,” McFarland said. “The support that we receive for our band program from family and friends, staff, administration, school board and the entire Pattonville community is much appreciated. We look forward to representing our Pattonville family with our performance!”
The jazz ensemble is made up of 23 students from the high school. They performed four songs with solos by Jack Caesar, Floyd Davis, Nick Drayton, Dylan Jamison, Kyle Manker, Ethan Massey, Max McFarland and the rhythm section consisting of Drayton, Hannah Fisbeck, Sydney Hoynacki, Jamison, Massey and Joey Stewart. Teachers Laura Livesay and Anna White assistant direct the jazz ensemble.
The jazz ensemble will give a preview performance on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in the high school auditorium. The rehearsal will start at 6 p.m. and the performance begins at 7 p.m. Both are open to the public. Following the performance, photos will be available to view here.
To see a copy of the program, click here. To learn more about the ensemble soloists here. To preview the performance, click here.