Orchestra, jazz concerts are this week at Austin High

Published 8:22 am Wednesday, May 10, 2017

There will be two chances to take in the talents of Austin High School musicians this week.

The AHS Orchestra Senior Recognition Concert, at 7 p.m. Thursday in Knowlton Auditorium, will feature the works of Brahms, Beethoven, Barber, Mozart, among others.

The evening will also feature the introduction of the AHS Music Hall of Fame inductees.

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Graduating seniors will be celebrated for their years of hard work. Gene Schott is the director.

The evening will be capped with a grand performance of “The Great Gate of Kiev,” by Modest Mussorgsky, a dramatic presentation that features over 100 students onstage.

The AHS Jazz Show will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. This fun event will be held in AHS’ Christgau Hall.

The concert, under the direction of Christoph Dundas, will feature Packer Jazz, Vocal Jazz and Jazz One. Packer Jazz is a learning ensemble for younger high school band members who have learned a secondary instrument to play in jazz band, and a few junior/senior leaders. The students have worked to learn some of the stylistic differences between concert band and jazz music, and will perform three tunes in different jazz styles.

The performance of Jazz One will be the final concert for seniors Cody Berglund and Isaac Smith on trumpet; Chrissy Nelson on baritone saxophone; and Arn Huizinga and Todd Weaver on trombone.

Senior vocalist Kassie Fate will be singing with the band as well.

The concert will feature traditional, swing, modern jazz, rock, funk and ballads.

Much anticipated will be the improvised solos by 11 different members of the band.