29th Annual Jazz in the Meadows Festival Enjoyed By Jazz Enthusiasts Wheeling High School Jazz Band Named Grand Champion

Jazz enthusiasts from throughout the Midwest enjoyed the Rolling Meadows High School Music Boosters’ 29th Annual Jazz in the Meadows jazz festival held recently at the school. The festival featured 112 jazz bands and combo performances representing 62 schools in eight performance rooms throughout the facility. Tom Flannigan led impromptu jam sessions for students throughout the day.

In addition to the talented student musicians, the festival featured the LOWDOWN BRASS BAND from Chicago. This 10-member ensemble put on an interactive clinic during the noon hour to a packed crowd in the Gilbert Theater. Students learned about New Orleans style jazz, heard the entertaining group play, and came on stage to play with the band. LDB members even went to the jam sessions to play along with the students. As the Grand Finale’s closing act, the LDB brought the crowd to its feet numerous times.

Professional jazz musicians or educators adjudicated the school jazz bands and combos throughout the day, and awards were announced at the end of the Grand Finale concert. The concert featured the top-scoring band from each high school class, and from that performance, a Grand Champion was chosen.  This year’s Grand Champion is Wheeling High School under the direction of Brian Logan.

Class Soloist awards:

Junior High Class – Ethan Siau on Drums from Grayslake MS

Class 1A – Thomas Schafer on Trumpet from Marmion Rosary HS

Class 2A -The Drummer from Rich Central HS

Class 3A – Kevin Kapinos on Trombone from John Hersey HS I

Class 4A – Matthew Young on Tenor Sax from Warren HS I

High School 2nd Bands- Morgan Treppa on Trombone from John Hersey HS II

“Small School” Combo Class- Evan Main on Piano, Bloomington North HS

“Large School” Combo Class- Kevin Kapinos on Trombone from John Hersey HS I

Class Ensemble awards:

Junior High Class

3rd place- Holmes MS (Wheeling)

2nd place- Sperreng/Truman MS

1st place- Cooper MS

Combos- “Large School”

3rd place- Lincoln-way East HS I

2nd place- Lake Zurich HS

1st Place- John Hersey HS I

Combos- “Small School”

3rd place- Pattonville HS

2nd place- St. Partick HS

1st Place- Bloomington North HS I

Class 1A

3rd Place - Monticello HS

2nd Place – Limestone HS

1st Place – Shawano HS

Class 2A

3rd Place - Rich Central

2nd Place - Vernon Hills HS

1st Place – Bloomington North HS I

Class 3A

3rd Place – Lindbergh HS I

2nd Place – John Hersey HS I

1st Place – Wheeling HS I

Class 4A

3rd Place - Barrington HS

2nd Place- West Aurora HS I

1st Place - Warren HS I

“Second Bands” Class

3rd Place - Warren HS II

2nd place- John Hersey HS II

1st place- Lindbergh HS II