The halls of Oak Harbor High School hummed with the sound of different regional school jazz bands while volunteers in purple shirts offered directions to incoming judges and instrument-carrying students.
In a corner of the cafeteria, quick-fix instrument repairs were offered to any student in need. Saturday marked the second time Oak Harbor High School hosted the annual San Juan Music Educators Association Jazz Festival.
Because music standards vary widely across the state the point of the festival was not to compete but rather to receive feedback from judges, according to OHHS band director Brandon Nelson.
The bands are judged based on their quality of sound, technique, rhythm, solos and the set of songs played.
“It’s a big challenge for the judges because they have to be fair,” Nelson said. Some of the bands are auditioned for, some are open to all students and others are just clubs because a school might not have a music program. The judges have to take that into consideration, Nelson said.
OHHS set included “Blues Samuel,” by Sammy Netisco, an arrangement of the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” and “Metroliner,” by Rick Hirsch.
After warming up the OHHS Jazz Band took the stage donned in black suits. While the students looked as if they were dressed for a funeral, pre-performance was not a solemn affair.
Senior Keelie Partridge, who played tenor saxophone, said she was excited because of her many solos. In particular she enjoyed playing the fast-paced “Metroliner.”
“There’s just something about playing all of those fast notes accurately,” Partridge said. “It’s really intense.”
Metroliner was also the favorite of senior Logan Gore, who played baritone sax and bass clarinet.
“After the tenor gets into it, I join in and then it’s a really complex, but fun part,” Gore said.
After performing, Marysville Middle School band teacher Taryn Zickefoose evaluated the band in a private room.
She complimented the students on their confidence, advised different sections of the band on how they interact with each other and offered different ways they could improve.
Zickefoose asked how many of the students knew the lyrics of “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles, and a handful raised their hands. “That would be the next step,” she said.
“What kind of story are you trying to tell the audience with this ballad?”
Overall she said the band did well.
“They’re putting in some really hard work,” Zickefoose said. “The rhythm section is coming together.”
“It’s definitely nice to get stuff other than what your band director tells you everyday,” Gore said.
