Berg Middle School and Newton High School jazz bands and choirs came together Friday for a Night of Jazz at the NHS Center for Performance.
Friday’s event was unique because it provided the general public an opportunity to see a performance in Newton, said Director of Bands Jim Beerends.
“Typically, we don’t do a lot of jazz performances here in town,” Beerends said. “A lot of the performances we have are weekend competitions, where the band is out of town playing in a competition.”
Songs from the event included “Low Down, Slow Down Blues,” “When I Fall in Love,” “The Rainbow Connection” and “Java Jive.” The students had been rehearsing since late October in preparation for the night of jazz.
“They’ve put a ton of extra time in outside the school day,” Beerends said. “Basically every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for four or five months. They’ve been coming in at seven o’clock in the morning to do the rehearsal necessary to put this all together.”
The jazz bands and choirs work on separate schedules on alternating days and have their own respective competitions throughout the year, but the Night of Jazz showcased both groups.
“We work together, and it works out well for the kids, who get to be involved in both if they choose to do that,” Beerends said.
Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com