Lincoln-Way Central Gets Jazzy at Music Festival

From Lincoln-Way High School District:

The seventh annual Lincoln-Way Central Jazz Festival was held Saturday and was a musical success.

Twenty groups performed in three venues throughout Lincoln-Way Central for distinguished jazz educators from DePaul University, Elmhurst College, Western Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University, Bradley University and Millikin University.

Fifteen high school ensembles participated in this year's festival, which included ensembles from all four Lincoln-Way high schools, Providence Catholic High School, H.L. Richards High School, Argo High School, Chicago Christian High School, Sandburg High School and Crown Point High School.

Five junior high ensembles from Liberty Junior High School, Summit Hill Junior High School and Old Quarry Middle School were also participants in this year's festival.

Clinicians for the day included: Robert Lark, trumpet; Mark Colby, saxophone; Tim Coffman, trombone; Bob Rummage, drums; Todd Kelly, trumpet; Andrew Cheetham, trumpet; John Cooper, trumpet; Randall Reyman, trumpet; Dr. Christopher Reyman, trumpet.

“It was very exciting for the six groups that were selected by the judges and clinicians to perform in the festival's 4p.m. Finale Showcase," said Stacy Williams-Jackson, the music department chair for Lincoln-Way Central High School.

The Four Other Brothers trumpet quartet performed in a mid-day concert for the participants and jazz patrons.

“Students enjoyed master classes and excellent clinics, and the Lincoln-Way Central Library was turned into an all-day jam session featuring improvisational opportunities,” Williams-Jackson said.

"The LWC Jazz Festival is a delight to produce," she said. "It is so important that developing musicians receive positive, immediate feedback and be inspired by those who have mastered the art of jazz performance—and that is what we have established here at this festival.  I am so grateful to my fellow LWC music teachers, administration, and the LWC Music Boosters for supporting this very important opportunity for the young musicians of the South Suburbs.”

Go check out our Facebook page.