Wheeling band hits the right notes at Jazz in the Meadows
For the third time in just over 10 years, Wheeling High School’s jazz band earned top honors at the Jazz in the Meadows festival at Rolling Meadows High School.
The band was named grand champions of the weekend festival, beating out three other finalists, including Warren Township High School, the three-time defending champions.
“It was a real good day for our kids, parents, program and school,” said Brian Logan, Wheeling’s band director for the last 22 years.
The results were announced Saturday night, after a full day of music that drew nearly 100 high school and junior high jazz bands from across the Midwest. This was the 27th year for Jazz in the Meadows, which has grown into the largest high school jazz event in the region.
Warren’s band took the results in stride. Just making it to the grand finale concert, where each of the four class winners played an encore, along with guest artists, the Tom Matta Big Band, was an accomplishment.
“The band played wonderfully this weekend,” said Warren’s director, Andrew Russell. “It was the culmination of many months of growth and dedication, and the students are all extremely proud of both performances.”
Russell credited the senior leadership in the brass section, who helped drive the band.
Logan pointed to his students’ solos during their three selections.
“Our kids work real hard on developing their jazz improvisational skills,” he said. “Improvisation is a key component of a quality jazz band and it takes kids who are willing to put a lot of time into learning the language.”
Another surprise at the festival was in the junior high section, where Indian Trail Middle School from Addison won the title, with Cooper Junior High School from Arlington Heights taking second.
Cooper has won the junior high division 12 times over the years, including the last eight years. But this was Indian Trail’s year, driven in part by the talents of tenor saxophone player Aleyah Hattah, who won outstanding soloist for the class.
Interest in jazz music has exploded, said Rolling Meadows Band Director Chris Buti, leading his Band Boosters to expand the competition to include small and large combo divisions, as well as a separate class for second band programs.
Hersey High School in Arlington Heights saw its small combo win its class, with Wheeling placing third, while Naperville North and Warren came in second and third respectively in the large combo division.
Among second band programs, Hersey tied with Lindbergh High School from St. Louis to win the class.