Jazz Band

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - The Jefferson Jazz Emsemble, which has received top awards through the years, won first place in a national competition in Branson, Mo., last weekend. The jazz ensemble performed before a live audience in the 1,600-seat Bobby Vinton Theater, home of the Glen Miller Orchestra, to take the top prize in the competition, according to band Director Robert Perks. The 22-member group performed such numbers as "Big Swing Face," "Lover Man" and "Blues for Uncommon Kids" to beat high schools from Oklahoma and Idaho in the final round, said Perks.

Under the direction of Michelle Hull and Betty Sue Kitchen, the E. Russell Hicks Middle School Jazz Band performed a jazzed-up version of the theme song to "James Bond, 007" as well as other well-known tunes before ending with the 1950s great "Rock Around the Clock," at a recent performance at Eastern Elementary School. In addition to playing upbeat tunes to the clapping audience of elementary students, instruments like the electric guitar, baritone saxophone, drum set and keyboards were on display as components to the jazz band sound.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Martinsburg North Middle School jazz band, show choir and women's choir all can be called one thing -- winners. The groups traveled to Kutztown, Pa., on May 16 to perform in the Music in the Parks band and choir competitions. Deborah Steranko, managing director of Music in the Parks, said groups performed and were evaluated by judges. Each group received both written and taped comments, she said. Martinsburg North Middle was the only band from West Virginia to perform.

Attention Washington County public school students: Your principal, teacher or school counselor might be a little bit cool. Well, at least some of them might be. Washington County public school staff members formed a band called Staff Infection, playing mostly rock and classic rock covers. When they're not writing up detentions, scolding tardy students or gum chewers, or mulling over curriculum and budgets, they're jamming, playing and practicing for shows. Staff Infection will perform Friday night as part of The Maryland Theatre's Wind Down Friday series, a string of Friday-night concerts held in the downtown theater's outdoor courtyard.

Vocalist Lea Adams and saxophone player Rasun Jones, both members of the jazz band Riverknot, perform with the band Friday at The Maryland Theatre for the last Wind Down Friday event of the third season.

SMITHSBURG -- Smithsburg High School students watched and moved to the beat Friday night as the man who wrote the song they were performing soloed on the saxophone. Bob Mintzer, a member of the jazz group the Yellowjackets, traveled to Smithsburg to perform in the 34th annual Blue Ridge Jazz Festival. Mintzer also wrote "Happy Song," which he performed with Smithsburg's jazz band. Playing with student musicians is rewarding, Mintzer said before his performance. "It's keeping the music alive," he said.

SMITHSBURG - Smithsburg High School students watched and moved to the beat Friday night as the man who wrote the song they were performing soloed on the saxophone. Bob Mintzer, a member of the jazz group the Yellowjackets, traveled to Smithsburg to perform in the 34th annual Blue Ridge Jazz Festival. Mintzer also wrote "Happy Song," which he performed with Smithsburg's jazz band. Playing with student musicians is rewarding, Mintzer said before his performance. "It's keeping the music alive," he said.

Here are some of the things happening in Washington County Public Schools this week: Today E. Russell Hicks Middle -- Jazz band and eighth- grade band concert, 7 p.m.; schoolwide spelling bee. Pleasant Valley Elementary -- Stitch with Me Club, 2:20 p.m.; winter chorale concert, grade five, 6:30 p.m. Salem Avenue Elementary -- Hearing and vision rechecks. Tuesday Boonsboro Elementary -- Battle of the Books, 2:30 p.m. Clear Spring Elementary -- Kindergarten holiday concert.

WILLIAMSPORT -Springfield Middle School, 330 Sunset Ave., will celebrate its 30th anniversary with of events and activities for the community from 8 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 3. A pancake breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. The Springfield jazz band, orchestra and chamber choir will perform. A book fair will be held and student government representatives will lead tours of the building. School building replicas will be sold. There will be ceremonies to honor the River Rat and the Green Team.

Santa Claus coming to Hagerstown Monday Santa Claus is coming to Hagerstown Monday. Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II and Santa will be in Public Square in downtown Hagerstown at 6 p.m. Monday for the tree lighting, city spokesperson Karen Giffin said. A group from Girls Inc. will sing holiday carols in the square beginning at 5:30 p.m., Giffin said. The tree lighting will be followed by Hollyfest, a free event at The Maryland Theatre featuring performances by the City Ballet School, Smithsburg High School orchestra, Smithsburg High School jazz band, Highland View Academy hand bell choir, Highland View Academy performing choir, Clear Spring High School Reflections Show Choir, South Hagerstown High School Midnighters jazz band and the Washington County Playhouse, Giffin said.

About 175 young musicians took part Saturday in the 2013 Swingin' in the Park Jazz Festival, an event organized by Washington County Public Schools to showcase the county's jazz bands in middle and high schools. Nine county schools took part this year in the event, which has been held since 1998. Rob Hovermale, Washington County Public Schools' supervisor of visual and performing arts, said the event was noncompetitive, and enables participants to experiment and improvise. Gary Rupert, the event organizer, said the event was a good opportunity for young musicians to listen to other talented musicians.

The Shepherdstown Rotary Club recently donated $500 to the Shepherdstown Middle School band program. The funds will be used to support music clinics for students participating in the school's award-winning jazz band. The clinics, which are held monthly during the school year, bring professional jazz musicians and outside music teachers to the school to provide expert instruction in jazz technique, style, tone, rhythm and interpretation. The band's next public performance will be Monday, April 15, at the annual spring concert for all Shepherdstown Middle School band students at Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, W.Va.

Here are some of the things happening this week in Washington County Public Schools:   Monday, Jan. 21 Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, schools and central office closed   Tuesday, Jan. 22 Professional Learning Day - No school for students South Hagerstown High - Second semester meet-the-teacher night, 6:30 p.m.   Wednesday, Jan. 23 Clear Spring High - Fellowship of...

The Hancock Middle-Senior High School Panther Band announces its January sandwich sale.  As in previous sales, three choices are offered: ham, turkey and roast beef.  The sandwiches cost $3 each. For $5, customers can add a bag of chips and a drink - soda or water - for a complete meal.  Orders will be taken through Jan. 24. The sandwiches must be paid for in advance.  Contact pantherbandboosters@hotmail.com to place an order. And congratulations to band member Autumn Pittman, who is first chair of the All County Orchestra and Band.  The All County Concerts are coming up:  All County Orchestra, Saturday, Jan. 26; and All County Band/Jazz Band, Feb. 2. Both concerts are at 7 p.m. in the North Hagerstown High School auditorium.  Tickets can be purchased in advance through the school, or some might be available at the door, but don't count on it. The concerts are quite popular and are a great winter diversion.

Five for your planner: Sunday, Nov. 11 1. Comedy for everyone Actor and comedian Sinbad will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at Shippensburg University's H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center, 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, Pa. The program is suitable for all ages. Tickets cost $28 to $45. Call 717-477-7469 or go to www.luhrscenter.com. 2. Celebration of Hospice A Celebration of Hospice will be Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Cortland Mansion, 1941 Cortland Drive, Hagerstown.

“I feel so famous with all these adoring parents,” Carly Whiteman said before launching into “Moonglow” at the Peter Buys Band Shell at City Park in Hagerstown. The senior at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts performed her strong vocal backed by the school's contemporary music ensemble under the direction of Mark Cook. The ensemble was one of 11 music groups from around Washington County to perform Saturday at the 14th annual Swingin' in the Park Jazz Festival. “Carly is Hagerstown's answer to Aretha Franklin,” Cook told the audience.

Kevin Mitchell long ago discovered his love for music. He started playing tuba when he was in the sixth grade. This summer, at age 19, he took it to another level as a member of The Cadets, a drum and bugle corps that competes on the Drum Corps International circuit. After an intense summer of travel and competitions, the corps finished in first place at the DCI World Championships on Aug. 13 in Indianapolis, Ind.   "I have two more years until I age out. I would do it again.