Rolling Meadows High school to host premiere event for teen musicians

Rolling Meadows High School hosts the silver anniversary of one of the premier jazz gatherings in the Midwest Saturday, Feb. 27, as the school presents the 25th Annual Jazz in the Meadows Festival.

Jazz bands from junior high and high schools representing five states will be participating in what is one of the largest and most highly regarded jazz gatherings in the Midwest.

This year's edition of Jazz in the Meadows features 118 performances during the daylong event at the school, 2901 Central Road in Rolling Meadows.

"It's amazing the reputation that Jazz in the Meadows has developed over the last 25 years," said Christopher Buti, director of bands at Rolling Meadows High School. "The day is highly regarded among music educators due to the value we try to provide to their students. We work very hard on putting together a meaningful day for the students and the faculty members as well."

Beyond the actual participants, Jazz in the Meadows has become an event to be marked on the calendar for local jazz enthusiasts as well.

Buti said the public is welcome to attend and take in performances throughout the day and evening. "While this is an educational event, guests will have the opportunity to listen to some of the top jazz bands and combos from not only Illinois, but those from Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri as well," Buti said.

Many of the jazz bands and combos participate in the competitive portion of the event in an effort to achieve top honors in their specific categories and earn the opportunity to participate in the Grand Finale Concert at the end of the day. In addition to the highest scoring bands, the Grand Finale Concert will include a performance by the heralded Roosevelt University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of one of the Chicago area's top jazz performers and directors, Rob Parton.

Each year, Jazz in the Meadows features clinics and performances by an elite group of educators in which students are encouraged to participate. Among those on hand will be John Wojciechowski on saxophone, Ryan Cohan on piano, Dave Miller on guitar, Dennis Caroll on bass, and Dana Hall on drums as they present a noontime concert and clinic for all interested students.

"The students can learn so much from these clinicians and can then apply techniques in the open jam sessions that take place throughout the day," Buti said.

The competitive portion of the day will feature performances in four classes for high schools based on school size, two levels for the combo competition, a single class for junior high bands and a class specifically for "second bands," for high schools that support two levels.

Each band will perform a 15-minute set followed by an equal period of evaluation and instruction on certain segments of the selections played.

Feedback is presented to each performing group, whether they are in the open or the competitive categories, by a trio of jazz professionals and educators who adjudicate each group's performance.

Jazz in the Meadows serves as the primary fundraiser for the Rolling Meadows High School music program.

The money is used to fund scholarships to summer music camps for school drum majors, the award-winning color guard and a number of orchestra students.

The event has also provided funding for new instruments, uniforms, music and other accessories for all of the bands in the school music program.

"The feedback is immediate and very hands-on," Buti said. "We could never offer an event of this magnitude without the fantastic support of our judges. As a teacher I always welcome the opportunity for my students to hear advice from different voices."

Buti said that Jazz in the Meadows draws on many colleges and universities in the Midwest to provide experienced educators on each panel.

"With this type of competition there is a great deal to be learned, and for the general public a superb collection of performances to enjoy all day long," Buti said.