Suburbia's Got Talent: Fremd band gears up for jazz

Fremd High School Director of Bands Matt Moore says he is proud of his musicians for their performances at the 35th annual Northshore Jazz Festival on Jan. 21 at Glenbrook South High School.

The Fremd Jazz Ensemble was awarded an overall Division 1/Superior rating (unanimous - all three professional jazz judges) in the top band division. The Jazz Lab Band - in this YouTube video playing "Holy Habanero" by Doug Beach - was awarded an overall "Division 1/Superior" rating in the second band division. The Fremd Jazz Combo received an Excellent rating.

The Jazz Ensemble received fourth place out of 15 schools in the Top Band division. The Jazz Lab Band received sixth place out of 11 in the Second Band division.

Moore said that while the goal at all jazz fests is to earn a Superior rating, most directors do not stress the importance of ranking or score order.

"It's about the music performance and overall music education experience of playing in the jazz band," he said. "I always say that it's icing on the cake if we get ranked high or make it into the top three."

The Northshore is not a competitive atmosphere, Moore said. In addition to their performance the bands and combos get a 20-minute clinic from one of the judges.

The next big jazz event in the suburbs is Jazz in the Meadows, to be held Feb. 25 at Rolling Meadows High School.