The Chesterton High School Jazz Ensemble concluded their two-night “Big Band Bash” event this past Saturday with a weekend total of nearly 200 people in attendance.
The Bash replicates the dances that were so popular during the war years of the 1940’s. Attendees at the Bash were able to dance (or just listen) while the band performed three musical sets that included well known ‘Swing’ charts, Latin Salsa’s, Cha Cha’s, Samba’s and many beloved ballads from the American songbook. This year’s dance also included high school senior vocalist Diva Bridegroom, who joined the band to sing an up-tempo arrangement of Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies,” as well as Duke Ellington’s classic tune, “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear from Me.”
“The ‘Bash’ is a great experience and it really tests your music comprehension skills,” said sophomore saxophonist David Hodgkiss. “It’s so much fun to see everybody dancing and enjoying the music that we play. It’s by far my favorite performance each year,” added CHS senior trumpeter Joe Stento.
“Many Duneland area restaurants, merchants, and community members support our efforts with this event and that’s a huge blessing for our program, and certainly for our students,” said Director Mike Scheiber.
Special thanks go out to those Duneland area businesses and individuals that provided support for the event. Supporters include Applebee’s, ArcelorMittal #7 Blast Furnace, Artistic Visions, Becky Bolton, Butler Winery, Dean’s Auto, Dunkin’ Donuts, El Cantarito, El Salto, Hunter’s Brewing, Lemon Tree, Leroy’s Hot Stuff, Lakeshore Bone and Joint Institute, Mia Photography, Papa John’s, Popolano’s, Santiagos, Strack and Van Til Supermarket, Trinity Hair Salon, Matt and Murri Franklin, Wagner’s Ribs, Walgreens, Wendy’s, Yoga Mecca and the CHS Band Booster parents. Thank you so much for your continued support of jazz education in the Duneland schools.
Members of the CHS Jazz Ensemble include: saxophonists David Gerth, David Hodgkiss, Mark Hodgkiss, Elissa McNicholas, Devin Moser and Sydney Sarver; trumpeters Jackson Lucken, Zane Mauke, Joe Stento, Rebecca White and Jacob Winland; trombonists James Bonnema, Andrew Figg, and Anthony Langley; rhythm section members Bobby Gotsch, Henry Hoham, Jared Horvath, Bryan Pamintuan, Kylie Sabol and Collin St. Mary.
For additional information about any CHS music event, please contact the CHS Music Office at 983-3730.
