The jazz program at BMHS includes two jazz ensembles and two jazz combos.
Weekly Rehearsal Schedule
Monday - Jazz II 6:00-7:15pm
Jazz I Sectionals 7:00-7:30pm
Jazz I Rehearsal 7:30-9:00pm
Tuesday - Jazz I Rehearsal 7:00-7:50am
Wednesday -Jazz II Rehearsal 7:00-7:50am
Thursday - Jazz I Rehearsal 7:00-7:50am
*Jazz Combo rehearsals are TBD.
The award winning, BMHS Jazz Band I is an auditioned ensemble which meets throughout the year; two mornings and one evening per week. The band performs at several competitive jazz festivals a year traveling throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. Jazz I consistently earn Superior ratings at these festivals, often placing in the top three. In 2009, 2012 & 2013, the band was selected as a finalist for the prestigious Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival and Competition in NYC. In addition, the band has several local performances, including the annual “Knight of Jazz” Spaghetti Dinner.
e Essentially Ellington Finalist, Jazz@Lincol Center, NYC (09, 12, 13)
e 1st Place (Combo I at Jazz in the Meadows (2012)
Outstanding Soloist Award: Rony Gimenez and Pierre Charles
e Judges Choice Award (Jazz I) and Grand Champion (Combo I) at
Purdue University Jazz Festival (2012)
Outstanding Soloist Award: Pierre Charles
WIU Summer Jazz Camp Scholarship: Aaron Crawford, Wash Hobson
e 1st Place and Grand Champion at Festival Disney (2011)
Outstanding Soloist Award: Perry Campbell and Pierre Charles
e 1st Place and Grand Champion at Western Illinois Jazz Festival (2011)
Outstanding Soloist Award: Pierre Charles
e 2nd Place at Purdue University Jazz Festival (2011)
Outstanding Soloist Award: Pierre Charles
1st Place - Jazz Combo and Outstanding Rhythm Section Award
e 1st Place and Grand Champion at Bob Kames Jazz Festival (2010)
Performed with Gordon Goodwin and His Phat Band
e 2nd Place at Jazz in the Meadows (2010)
Outstanding Soloist, Kevin LeBaron - Large Combo Division
e 2nd Place at the Purdue Jazz Invitational (2010)
Outstanding Soloist / Scholarship Awards
Kevin LeBaron, Pierre Charles, Crystal Rebone, and Rony Gimenez
e 1st Place UW-Platteville Jazz Festival (2010)
Outstanding Soloist/Birch Creek Scholarship - Kevin LeBaron
e Essentially Ellington Finalist, Jazz@Lincol Center, NYC (2009)
e1st Place and Grand Champions Western Illinois University Jazz Festival (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013)
e2nd Place UW-Green Bay Jazz Festival (2007, 2008)
e1st Place and Grand Champion Festival Disney (2007)
e1st Place Carroll College Jazz Festival (2006)
e3rd Place Purdue Jazz Invitational (2006)
eProfessionally recorded CD’s entitled “Jazz on the Rock”
(May, 2004) and “Knights of Jazz” (June 2007)
e1st Place at the Purdue Jazz Invitational (2004)
e1st Place at the UW-Eau Claire Jazz Festival (2004)
e2nd place at the All-American Music Festival, Orlando, FL (2003)
e3rd Place finishes in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005
Jazz in the Meadows (Chicago Illinois)
PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Jazz Band II is for less experienced students who wish to explore / continue studies in jazz. The band meets one evening and one morning per week and also performs at several competitive jazz festivals, as well as local performances. In 2008 and 2009, Jazz Band II placed 1st at the WIU Jazz Festival in the 2nd Bands Division.
Perdido (2009)
by Juan Tizol
Beloit Memorial High School Jazz Band I
Loyola University Jazz Festival (New Orleans)
March 7, 2009
“Symphony in Riffs” by Benny Carter
Portrait of Louis Armstrong (2009)
by Duke Ellington
Kevin LeBaron
Trumpet Soloist
Beloit Memorial High School Jazz Band I
Essentially Ellington 2009 Finalist
Sunday, May 11, 2009
Jazz @ Lincoln Center, NYC
“Black and Tan Fantasy” by Duke Ellington
Happy Go Lucky Local
by Duke Ellington (2010)
The year concludes with our “Evening of Jazz” Concert featuring nationally known jazz artists. They have included Jim Snidero, Brian Lynch, Greg Abate, Conrad Herwig, Bob Mintzer, Jeff Hamilton, Steve Weist, Mark Colby, Victor Goines, and the Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra.
BMHS Jazz II
2012-2013
BMHS Jazz I 2012-2013
Sepia Panorama
by Duke Ellington
(2012)
Don’t Get Around
Much Anymore
By Duke Ellington (2012)