In past years, the Emerald Regiment has competed at the State competition. This year, the jazz band will also be going to State for the first time in school history. Senior saxophone player Derek Townsend has been in the jazz band and marching band all four years of high school.
“The marching band State competition is always a great time,” Townsend said. “So, I think [my goals are to] just enjoy the competition, listen to other great bands and have fun.”
Jazz band director Maddy Flebbe has been with the marching and jazz bands since the beginning of this school year.
“Mr. [Thorne] Banks reached out to me this summer and initially asked if I would help with the marching band,” Flebbe said. “When I found out there was a jazz band, I asked if I could help out with it, and I just kind of took over.”
Jazz band rehearses on even days and all days during 6th hour. A rehearsal usually begins with listening to jazz music, and then the band splits into sectional rehearsals.
“We always start with listening to jazz because that’s really the best way to learn, by listening and knowing what we’re trying to go for,” Townsend said.
The band has a program of four songs they will be performing at the competition. Townsend said there are multiple ways students are rehearsing individually and as a group for State.
“We’re rehearsing in class, and we’re also practicing outside of class,” Townsend said. “Some of us take lessons, some of us work during AST and then we’ll just bring it back together in class and try to make it as good as we can.”
Flebbe said she enjoys teaching the students about jazz history as well as practicing their pieces and preparing them for State.
“Kansas City is one of the birthplaces of jazz. And it’s so cool to teach jazz in a place where some of the most famous jazz musicians of all time got their start,” Flebbe said.
Flebbe has been playing the trumpet since she was in middle school. She continued to participate in band throughout high school and decided to make a career out of it.
“I chose to teach band because band was like my favorite part of high school, and it was just a really great community,” Flebbe said. “My band teachers were really inspiring to me, and I wanted to create the same sense of community that they created for me and my classmates.”
Multiple students in the jazz band said they also enjoy the community Flebbe has created. Junior Shelby McDonald has been in multiple band ensembles in high school, including wind ensemble, symphonic band, marching band and jazz band.
“I enjoy being a part of the band community, so I decided to take another band class,” McDonald said.
The jazz band is one of the smaller band classes offered at the school. McDonald said she enjoys the small size because it allows for more individual practice time. Townsend also said he enjoys the small group of people.
“It’s a smaller band, so it always feels like it’s the people who want to do more band,” Townsend said. “So, it’s more enjoyable to play with people who care a little more about music.”
Flebbe said she is looking forward to the competition as the students will be positively challenged and hopes they will learn a lot from the experience.
“I want the kids to learn a lot about the rich history of jazz in Kansas City, that is my number one goal. State is kind of the cherry on top,” Flebbe said. “My hope is that we can use going to State as a goal and a tool, but it’s not the end all be all. My goal is for everyone in that class to have an appreciation of jazz.”
