As winter approaches, Strath Haven’s Jazz and Modern Bands begin, featuring an opportunity for students to express themselves across various musical genres.
Jazz and Modern Bands begin this winter at Strath Haven High School under the direction of Jazz Band director Mr. Nicholas Pignataro and Modern Band director Mr. James McLaughlin. Jazz and Modern Bands allow students to explore more music genres and learn more about music.
“What makes it [Modern Band] special is that it’s a community of people who have a close connection to a specific type of music that they all love,” sophomore Mateo Laurent said. “Everyone can choose their specialized instrument and have a great time.”
Laurent said Modern Band is generally more fun and less stressful on students than other music ensembles like Symphonic Band and Marching Band. He also said he looked forward to playing in many concerts with the modern band this year.
“I think it [Modern Band] has pushed me to try harder and to strive to become a better keyboardist, learning harder songs and starting to do piano lessons,” Laurent said.
Like Modern Band, Haven’s Jazz Band also has much to offer.
“It’s a lot more fun than most of the other ensembles offered here,” sophomore Matthew Traverso said.
Jazz Band has many concert locations, including the Ellington Jazz Festival in the Lincoln Center, Rehoboth Beach Festival of Jazz, and Dining under the Stars in Media. Not only does Jazz Band offer many opportunities to learn music, but it also helps musicians grow and progress in their skills.
“I joined Jazz Band in sixth grade, and I really liked it, so I’ve kind of been learning jazz, and it’s helped me with theory for improvisation,” Traverso said.
Jazz Band is not just a group, however, but a group of individuals.
“People aren’t doubling for the most part, meaning you’re the only one who has your notes in the entire band,” Pignataro said. “It’s also improvisatory. It’s different every single time. In some cases, there’s literally no music written, so you just have to use your ear.”
A big goal for Pignataro in Jazz Band is to create a safe space where it’s okay to mess up.
“As long as you then extemporize, and as long as you continue to build on it, it can become part of the message you have,” Pignataro said.
Jazz is also more than just a genre of music. While being in this ensemble allows students to learn new music, it also allows students to learn the history of jazz.
“It [jazz] is one of the most equitable and diverse forms of music we teach,” Pignataro said. “It was founded by black American musicians.”
Jazz as music has had a very diverse and historical background featuring many jazz musicians of color, such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, and many others. One of the big pieces of news surrounding the Jazz band last year was the implementation of two Panther Jazz Bands. Pignataro has decided to extend that idea into this year.
“For me, the best band musically was last year because there were two,” Pignataro said. “Jazz One developed this true authentic big band sound, and the saxophones could really hear each other listen across and developed a core jazz choir. That doesn’t happen anywhere else. Jazz Two had elements of learning, and if I can get more people to audition this year, I think Jazz Two will also be a full big band and not like a partial big band.”
DISCLAIMER: Reporter is in jazz band.
