The Performing Arts Center was swingin’ with over 40 musicians during the Jazz Band Concert on Thursday, November 16. The concert featured performances by three ensembles, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, and the Jazz Combo: Willy Wonka and the Jazz Factory.

Many students progress through the levels of jazz band by starting in Jazz Lab Land their freshman year and auditioning for Jazz Ensemble their sophomore, junior, and senior year. Combo is a selective group of five to six students that have one person per instrument during their performances.

Laura Zborovsky, junior, joined Jazz Lab band sophomore year and got into Jazz Ensemble this year.

“Everyone has to start off in [Jazz] Lab Band their first year so I was in jazz lab last year,” Zborovsky said. “The music in Jazz Ensemble is a lot more complex but overall more interesting to play. Overall Jazz [Band] has a more relaxed feel than regular band. Everyone gets a chance to show off their skills and just mess around and have fun all while improving.”

Jazz Ensemble also had a greater number of soloists during their performance. Musicians, like Zane Chung Medhi, senior, were able to showcase their talent during their performance.

“My favorite part of jazz [band] is being able to play unique music with some great musicians and learning to enjoy the music even more,” Zane Chung Medhi, senior in Jazz Ensemble said. “Also, Mr. Thompson is really enthusiastic about jazz and music in general and it’s great having a teacher that’s so passionate and knowledgeable about his subject.”

Chung Medhi started in Jazz Lab Band freshman year and worked up to Jazz Ensemble sophomore through senior year. At this concert, he had a solo where he sang “All I Need is the Girl” by Sondheim & Styne and played the guitar with the Jazz Ensemble.

Whether it was incorporating fun music or just letting loose as musicians, Zborovsky believes that the first concert of the year was a success.

“I thought for the first concert everyone did an amazing job. The solos sounded great from both bands as well as the combo,” Zborovsky said. “I think everyone just let loose and enjoyed themselves on stage which doesn’t happen very often during concerts. The concert as a whole went very well.”