Issue 5 - North Canton City Schools - sparcc

New group jazzes up Hoover
BY ANNE DeFAZIO Staff Writer
Jazz Notes participated in the 4th annual
Concert for Compassion held at the
Massillon Lions Lincoln Theater on Nov.
23 and recieved a plaque for their service.
Jazz Notes is a new group at Hoover,
made up of eight seniors in either HiNotes
or HiLos.
“It’s been a group I’ve wanted for a
“We sing stuff that that’s fun
for the crowd to listen to.”
- KATHY VANDERVAART, SENIOR
while and this seemed like the year to
get it going,” Mrs. Patty Grewell, Jazz
Notes director, said.
Jazz Notes is different from other musical
groups at Hoover, according to senior
Kathy Vandervaart, a member of Jazz
Notes, because of the contemporary
songs they perform and the atmosphere
of the group.
“It’s more laid back then the other
groups; it’s fun,” she said. “We all get
along really well.”
Grewell is also enthusiastic about the
new ensemble.
“It’s an exciting new group.
Everyone’s excited to be in it: they really
like to perform,” she said. “It’s a fun group
to direct.”
The Concert for Compassion was their
first public performance. This was held
to raise money and awareness for
Hospice, a nonprofit group that helps
people in their final stages of life.
According to Jim Dhomas, Chairman
of the Board, since Hospice is a nonprofit
group with a large cause, they rely
heavily on functions like Concert for
Compassion.
This year’s concert collected a record
amount, exceeding $13,000. Besides
money, this concert also raised awareness
in the community about Hospice.
Dhomas feels that programs like these
“keep [Hospice’s] name in the public.”
Jazz Notes received a reward for participating
in the event.
“It’s nice to have a little something to
put on the wall and say ‘we were in that,’”
Vandervaart said.
Senior Daniel Lenzer, another member
of Jazz Notes, is also pleased to be recognized
for this event.
“It was our first public recognition as
an ensemble and a nice start to what is
looking like a good year,” Lenzer said.
The Jazz Notes received a standing
ovation after they were forced to sing a
song a cappella for the first time due to
some technical difficulties.
“We sing stuff that’s fun for the crowd
to listen to,” Vandervaart said.
Dhomas feels that the audience responded
well to them and will in the future
as well.
“I’m sure that anyone that hears them
would get a kick out of them,” Dhomas
said. “They’re really good.”
Dhomas feels that the Jazz Notes contributed
a lot to this cause.
“I want everyone to know how grateful
we are,” he said. “We appreciate the
time and talent [Jazz Notes] gave to Hospice.”!V
Music rings in Guzzetta Hall
Band visits University of Akron to perform for music directors
BY CHRISTEN MISANIK Staff Writer
The Hoover symphonic band was selected
to perform in the 32nd Annual
Ohio Band Directors Conference Dec. 6
at Akron University. Chosen from over
200 other musical groups, the symphonic
band was able to showcase a 30-minute
performance for the conference.
“It’s a great honor to be selected,”
said band director Mr. Ronald Varn.
“[The band] has come a long way and,
for us, it’s a work in progress.”
The band has been holding afterschool
rehearsals to prepare for the upcoming
conference. Senior band member
Carissa Patton said it was worth the extra
effort.
“Though the practices can get monotonous,
I know they will pay-off for
our band,” she said. “They enable us to
listen to each other more and learn to
blend as a group.”
Other performances included two
middle school bands from Ohio, the
University of Akron symphonic, jazz
and concert bands and concluded with
the Ohio Band Directors Conference
Honors Symphonic band.
“[The University of Akron Symphonic
Band] was very good,” said senior
band member Justin Shaub. “Our
show went well for the first performance
of the year.”
Junior band member Allison Arnold
said she thought the overall performance
was a success.
“Mr. Varn seemed pleased and we
were happy with our performance,” she
said
Senior band member Ken Eckberg
said the performance allowed the band a
much needed practice performance to prepare
for upcoming competitive conferences
and competitions.
“Our performance showed us that
we’re not quite ready for competition
yet. We need an immense amount of
work,” he said. “But we’ll get there.”
The Hoover band is continuing rehearsals
in preparation for a New Music
Reading Clinic, showcasing new
music, Jan. 23 at Bowling Green State
University. They will also be performing
at the Ohio Music Education Association
state convention Feb. 5.
“We were fortunate to be selected
[for these conferences]. It may be the
only time people across Ohio will be
able to hear the Hoover band play,”
Varn said. “It’s a real honor. It’s nice to
know the Hoover program is recognized
for what it is.” !V
8 ! The Viking Views ! 12.19.03