NAU Jazz Festival

Friday morning at 5:00 am the Mesa High Band students arrived at school for the long bus drive up to Flagstaff.  The big Jazz Band performed first at 9:30 am, so they had to have an early start.  The kids were tired but too excited to sleep.

What a great pic of the clouds as the sun was rising.

The clouds were super low as we headed up north.  We even ran into some fog.

Josh just off the bus 

The Big Jazz Band played first and they received a superior.   Josh performs with the trumpets with this band.  I attended the clinic after they performed and the judge was very impressed with them, especially dealing with the change in evaluation.  The did an amazing job!!

MHS Big Jazz Band

Josh performing

After the Big Jazz Band played, then the MHS Jazz Combo performed.  There was one song that focused on the talents of the flute and clarinets.  I really enjoyed listening to that song.  This band  received an excellent rating.   These kids get together once a week on their own time to be in this combo class.  Josh is getting college credit for this class.

Mesa Jazz Band Combo

Josh and Cody playing the clarinets

After they performed, the students attended clinics and watched other jazz bands.  They even found time to make a snowman in honor of Mr. Brooks.  They kids had a great time and we ended the evening with a concert by the NAU Jazz Band and a guest artist Brice Winston. 

Brice Winston talks to the kids in a clinic before performing fo them that evening.

Josh and I at NAU

The snowman is Mr. Brooks and the little guy is his son.

Snow capped moutains

Josh getting in the snow fight

The kids had a great time and we all slept on the way home from the NAU Jazz Festival.