Written by
Erin Lauters, SMT Writer
Cape Girardeau, Missouri - The Dexter Senior High School Jazz Cats traveled to their first public performance. The Jazz Cats attended the annual SEMO Jazz Festival sponsored by Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity.
The group got together on February 9, 2014 to pack up their things to head up to Cape Girardeau. The group played in front of three clinicians.
The guest clinician was Frank Pizzano. He is a visiting, well-known tenor saxophone player. The second clinician, from Mineral Area College of Missouri, was Mr. Mike Goldsmith. Goldsmith, also a saxophonist, had a few comments for this remarkable jazz group. The third and final clinician, also from Mineral Area College of Missouri as well as a member of the Kicks Band, was Mr. Dan Shunks.
The three clinicians listen to the songs played by the jazz band on stage and took a vocal recording of advice to send to director Scott Rybolt for areas of improvement. After all was said and done, the clinicians came on stage and gave tips for specific areas if specific songs. These three men mentioned how fantastic the group blended and told them to keep up the good work.
The songs played were swing chart "Groovin' Hard", Latin "Malagueña", Ballad "I Remember Clifford", and fast swing "St. Louis Blues". Soloists include: Junior and Lead Alto Toni Curran on "Malagueña", Senior and Lead Tenor player Tyler Jones on "Malagueña", Sophomore and Lead Trumpet player Gina Magarian on "I Remember Clifford", and Senior and Lead Tenor Tyler Jones again on "St. Louis Blues".
The group was accompanied by student teacher from SEMO Mr. Cody Jenkerson, student teacher also from SEMO Miss Shubaugh, and director Scott Rybolt. The group was dressed in black slacks, a white button up, and a color-coded tie for each section of the band. The saxophone section had a pink tie, trumpet section had a burnt orange tie, trombones wore a stylish royal blue tie, and the rhythm section wore a lavender purple tie.
The band got a superior rating by the judges. The band consists of: Rhythm: Senior Jon Durham playing drums, Senior Chandler Crowley playing bass, Sophomore Addison Moore playing drums, and Abby Magnum playing piano. Trombones: First Trombone Junior Brooks Propst, Second Trombone Eighth Grader Aaron Wells, Third Trombone Seventh Grader Noah Rushing, and Bass Trombone Sophomore Brandon Parks. Trumpets: Lead Trumpet Sophomore Gina Magarian, Second Trumpet Sophomore Adam Webb, Third Trumpet Eighth Grader Layla Brown, and Fourth Trumpets Freshman Emily Johns and Seventh Grader Travis Propst. Last but not least, Saxophones: Senior Baritone Saxophone Player Sarah Durham, Senior Lead Tenor Saxophone Player Tyler Jones, Junior Lead Alto Player Toni Curran, Sophmore Second Tenor Player Erin Lauters, and Freshman Second Alto Player Alyssa Teets.
Provided by Julie Rybolt.
