Jazz Band remains conference champ

The Sisters High School Jazz Band is on a roll — six in a row. Last week the award-winning Varsity Jazz Band successfully defended its title at the Capital Conference Jazz Fest at Stayton High School.

In fact, the Sisters Junior Varsity (seventh-10th graders) scored high enough to place in the top three according to Jody Henderson, Sisters School District Band Director. But, in order to offerrecognition to as many schools as possible, conference rules allow only the highest scoring band from each school to be considered for ranking.

Stayton and Cascade High Schools were ranked second and third, respectively. Six schools entered bands in the competition.

Sisters Varsity scored 88 out a possible 100 points with the Junior Varsity close behind with 77. Although the band rankings are announced, scores are made known only to the individual schools. Henderson said the usual scoring range is 20 to 30 points, top to bottom.

Grading is based on: 20 points for quality and quantity of soloists; 15 points each for intonation (playing in tune), articulation (level of clarity), and time (maintaining a steady tempo); 10 points each for balance blend (sections and individuals), dynamics (varying volume levels) and style/interpretation; and, finally, five points for programmingpresentation.

Outstanding soloist awards went to Shane Connor (saxophone), Justin Veloso (drums) and Jared Henderson (string bass). The Sisters Varsity was also awarded outstanding rhythm section and saxophone section honors.

Both bands were rewarded before the fact by a visit to Jimmy Mak’s Bar & Grill in Portland. The night before the competition they attended a performance of the Mel Brown Septet in what Henderson called “a real jazz club environment.”

Established in 1996, Jimmy Mak’s has been recognized as Portland’s premier jazz club. In fact, Down Beat magazine calls Jimmy Mak’s “One of the world’s top 100 places to hear jazz.” Although an adult establishment, the club offers a special early set for those under 21 each Tuesday.

Saxophonist Shane Connor and drummer Justin Veloso sat in with the professional group and, according to Henderson, “They did a good job of playing for a couple of tunes.”

It was a special event for Justin Veloso; Mel Brown is his music teacher.

Veloso said, “It was lots of fun. I’m glad Jody provides these opportunities for the band.”

Veloso, a junior in his third year with the band, is hitting a perfect three-for-three in conference competition. He undoubtedly looks forward to another year of the same.

City Manager Eileen Stein, whose son Hayden plays in the JV band, took a day off from her City Hall duties to attend the competition with her husband. She was impressed with the quality of play but lamented, “It’s too bad that parents don’t turn out for music events like they do for sports.”

One of Henderson’s goals is to expose music students to professionals in the field. In November, when one-half of the Rebirth Brass Band got lost between Eugene and Sisters, Henderson and students Shane Connor and Jared Henderson filled in admirably for the missing members. And the Winter Jazz Band Concert, a tune-up for the conference competition, included several professional musicians.