STE. GENEVIEVE – The Ste. Genevieve Middle School second- and third-year band students participated in the MAC Kicks Jazz Band Concert and Educational Clinic at Mineral Area College last month.
This event is sponsored by the Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy in an effort to encourage and inspire instrumental music students to explore jazz. Nearly 300 students participated from the surrounding area schools.
The students then performed on MAC’s stage for the SGMS After School Jazz Band on Saturday, March 11, at the 36th Annual MAC Jazz Festival, sponsored by the Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy.
Approximately 18 students showed up at 6 a.m., in the middle of a four-day weekend, to travel to MAC and perform and then participate in a clinic with professional jazz musicians and educators.
Leading up to this event, the students showed up once a week for an hour-long rehearsal after school since mid-September.
The students who performed include: Destin Conner, Camden Strupp, Elcie Schweigert, Garrett Gallup, Brody Henson, Dylan Cash, Grace Hermann, Aaliyah Rosenzweig, Parker Warren, Kyler Gugel, Henry Hadel, Malachy Cavanaugh, Grant Wolk, Kaylin Hunsley, Johnathan Hacker, Charlotte Mooney, Kierstyn Reeves, and Riyley Dutton.
The SGMS After School Jazz Band is directed by Lindsey Elders and Joe Hull.
Those who might be interested in music lessons, instrumental music ensembles, choir, or theater classes and performance opportunities, check out the expansive course offerings at the MAFAA website at https://www.mineralareafineartsacademy.com/.