The high school jazz band has had an incredible amount of success this season. Much of that accomplishment comes from the dedication and passion of its musicians. According to Mr. Vander Wiel, director of the jazz band, the biggest reason for their recent achievements is the students having fully submerged themselves in the band’s philosophy. Many have gone above and beyond in their commitment to the group. Every musician has worked like crazy to improve their skills and contribute to the band’s overall sound and aesthetic.
The jazz band practices three days a week, focusing on important elements such as improvisation, ensemble coordination, and technical precision. A typical rehearsal day includes working on music, refining volume control, maintaining a steady beat, and ensuring the style is just right. The band is a mix of structure and creativity, students must balance their technical accuracy with the freedom of improvisation. This skill takes many hours of practice, as musicians need to know when to follow the music and when to take creative risks.
One of the biggest challenges the band faces when preparing for competitions is developing consistency. Vander Wiel carefully selects pieces that highlight many of the band member’s versatility, choosing three different songs that showcase a range of styles and abilities. This approach allows the band to demonstrate all of their strengths even in the short performance. During rehearsals, students work on perfecting their sound. They often hold sectionals where they focus on blending their instruments. They also spend time listening to recordings of others to better understand jazz phrasing and dynamics.
Soloists in the jazz band receive special training from others to master improvisation, which is one of the most defining aspects of jazz. The director provides tracks to play along with to help them figure out which notes work best in different moments. Improvisation can be both exciting and intimidating because musicians have the freedom to play whatever they desire. It takes a lot of practice to create a solo that sounds natural and expressive.
When performing at festivals and competitions, the band’s main focus is not necessarily winning, but playing the best they can. Vander Wiel emphasizes musical growth over rankings, and the atmosphere at competitions is laid-back and always supportive. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t take feedback seriously. Judges have pointed out areas of improvement, such as refining dynamics. The band uses this feedback to continue improving their performances. Andrew Kapler, junior, said, “Jazz forced me to get out of my comfort zone while being one of the most laid-back extracurricular activities I’ve ever been in!”
Mistakes can happen during live performances, but the band is trained to move past them quickly without a hitch. Vander Wiel encourages his students to let go of errors and get back on track quickly. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a part of the jazz band is simply having fun. This season, the band even had a few pieces of music written specifically for them, an exciting experience that made their performances even better and more special.
Over the years, the band continued to evolve and improve, with older students setting high standards for the new members. Since auditions are required, everyone who joins is passionate about being there. Some of the most challenging pieces they have performed include works by Bob Washut and Paul Lichty, which demanded rhythmic accuracy and careful attention to detail. Even though the pieces were difficult, they were one of the reasons they won the NEIBA District Jazz Festival that occurred on March 8.
For those interested in joining in the future, Vander Wiel’s advice is to simply stay flexible and have fun. Jazz band should never be stressful; it should be an enjoyable experience that allows musicians to grow and express themselves. As the school’s jazz band continues to improve, its future looks brighter than ever.
