Jazz in the Meadows festival to host 115 ensembles

Look for jazz students and their instruments to take over Rolling Meadows High School on Saturday, as they converge on the building for the 24th annual Jazz in the Meadows festival.

Students performing in 115 different ensembles from nearly 70 schools, will take over every classroom in the building for warmups, and rotate through one of seven different performance venues.

The list of schools features three that have participated every year, including Buffalo Grove, Wheeling and (Decatur) McArthur high schools.

All six Northwest Suburban High School District 214 schools will be represented, as well as Conant, Fremd and Schaumburg high schools from District 211.

Of the area private schools, both St. Viator and Carmel high schools will compete, along with Mundelein, Lake Zurich and Warren Township High School, which is bringing five different ensembles.

Wheeling High School returns to defend its grand champion status from last year - the band won both the large school division and the overall title. Wheeling director Brian Logan returns with a veteran group of performers, including two students who were named to the Illinois Music Educators Association all-state jazz band and honors combo.

Another contender promises to be Hersey High School, whose three levels of jazz bands swept their respective categories in January at the Purdue Jazz Festival. Hersey's jazz band won the grand championship title in 2005 and 2007.

"The level of musicianship at this event is extraordinary," says Chris Buti, band director at Rolling Meadows High School, whose bands will perform but not compete, since they are the hosts. "I can't imagine a better value for a day of entertainment, anywhere."

For the students, the day is filled with music. The bands each perform a three-piece set - typically including swing, Latin and a ballad - for a panel of professional musicians and college educators.

While awaiting their marks and recorded comments, students have the chance to sit in on clinics, perform in open jam sessions in the cafeteria, and peruse vendors' booths offering a variety of musical equipment.

"Students assembling an entire day of jazz, is wonderful," Logan says. "It's how we learn to appreciate this great music, and pass the torch."

They also will be able to sit in on other performances, as well as the DePaul University Faculty Jazz Combo at noon in the high school auditorium. Headlining the grand finale concert at 5 p.m. is Mulligan's Mosaics Big Band.

Founded in 2006 by Chicagoan Ted Horgath, the band is dedicated to preserving the music of legendary baritone saxophonist, Gerry Mulligan.