The feeling of adrenaline rushes and anxiety; it’s our time to perform. “Watch those slurred triplets! Make sure you play with a bluesy swing!” All of these thoughts race through my mind as I’m about to perform at State Jazz Festival. The atmosphere is full of laughter and talking. With a chart such as “Swingin’ Shepard Blues,” a young, aspiring musician can only react to what true musicians thrive upon, and that is the audience.
Determination and perseverance are the key assets in playing jazz styled music. With all the chords intertwining into a full collaboration of sound, jazz music can be performed. As the Cousino High School Jazz Ensemble took the stage for State Jazz Festival, the readiness and preparations which took months and months of sweat, labor, and hard work will hopefully pay off.
As the first measure is played, the audience slowly settles to a silence, and contemplates the music being produced. Our hard work is being displayed to the audience, as if they have never listened to jazz music before. The silence of the crowd shows to us on stage how our playing abilities affect the mood of our family, friends, and acquittances. As we finish our first song, the crowd erupts into cheer and whistles, clapping wildly as if the president is on stage. College level music being played by teenagers happens rarely. An experience such as jazz band is something unique in my mind, that can never be matched to any adolescent activity. A group of students coming together to create music is special in the fact that not everyone can do what we do. It’s something different and out of the blue of everyday life.
As the jazz band finishes the third and fourth song, we know that we accomplished something great. We know in our minds that we have prevailed even if we thought we could not. When the results are posted, we all hold our breath as if we are going over the huge hill on a roller coaster. We earn a Division 1, the best division possible. Without hard work,...