Strath Haven’s Jazz 1 program performed at the annual Penncrest Jazz Night on Saturday, February 1.

They were one of twelve bands in attendance, performing “Jumping At The Woodside”, composed by Count Basie and arranged by Rich DeRosa, followed by “St. Louis Blues”, composed by W.C. Handy and arranged by Duke Ellington.

Junior Katie Snyder describes the feeling of first walking on stage.

“There’s definitely a lot of anxiety behind it, but as soon as you begin, it just washes away and you just have fun with it,” Snyder said. 

“It’s your show,” freshman Carver Pugh of Penncrest said.

Before the culminating live performances, the bands attended clinics and ate dinner together.

“We just get to share in something that we really, really love and show others what we’ve been working on,” Snyder said. 

For students around the area, Penncrest Jazz Night is an opportunity to build friendships within the music community.

“What it means for me is a reminder that music crosses the borders of school districts and that all these kids get to work together, play together, eat together, hang out together, listen to each other,” band director Mr. Nick Pignataro said.

Pignataro highlights Jazz Night, which Haven has attended three times so far, as a way to cross those borders and continue Haven’s special connection with Penncrest.

“We’re rivals in athletics, of course, friendly rivals in athletics, but the Penncrest marching band, and the Penncrest jazz band, and the Penncrest orchestra has a musical connection with our orchestra, our jazz band, our marching band, so I like that we get to show up and spend time together, not in a competition at all, but in a way just to make music in [the] same place,” Pignataro said.

Pignataro describes jazz music as diverse, equitable, and designed for dancing.

“It’s really a music that is for all Americans, from its very beginning,” Pignataro said.

Sophomore Amar Wade enjoys practicing his drum skills at jazz night. Drumming may have added benefits, including improved memory and speech. 

“I’ve noticed how studies have said those who play drums or where you play instruments with their hands, it impacts their studying, which I think is also a pro to it, but, yeah, I love to drum, and I hope to bring that into my future,” Wade said.

In contrast to most of Haven’s other bands, which meet during fifth block, Jazz 1 had three after-school, hour-long rehearsals before this performance.

“Every single person there is important,” Snyder said.

But what traits are important for a jazz musician? 

Snyder said exploration. Pignataro said self-sufficiency. Wade said dedication. Pugh said maturity.

Pugh has played in Penncrest’s jazz band since eighth grade, the first middle schooler to do so. 

“It wasn’t really intimidating. I more felt honored to be in that position, and I feel like playing with these older people, I learned a lot more than I would have if I didn’t, truly,” Pugh said.

Pignataro said that Haven’s jazz band puts what they learn at this event into practice.

“It’s going to make them better, and it’s going to make them realize, too, that they’re not very good, and that’s important for learning. You’ve got to knock yourself down before you can get up,” Pignataro said.

Wade, who was in Jazz 2 last year, said that he has been wanting to be in Jazz 1.

“Music is already very impactful. But the certain way that jazz sounds, also adds its own personal character. It touches someone in a different way,” Wade said.