Jazz charts by Wood and Tower of Power echo through the hall. The drummer pushes the tempo in an effort to keep the rest of the band from falling behind, yet he desires larger audiences.

When not playing in a jazz band in his spare time, Chris Rice bestows his passion of music to the students on campus.

?I think Mr. Rice will bring a new dynamic to our jazz band,? Aaron Ortiz, ?07, said. ?Because unlike Mr. (Paul) McEntee who played tuba, Mr. Rice is a percussion specialist.?

Yet the thud of the drums for the first time in years will leave the concrete walls as Rice plans to implement a field show during halftime at the football home games. This will be the school?s second attempt at the feat.

?I personally miss Mr. Mac,? Rachel Guthrie, ?10, said. ?But I will give Mr. Rice some time to get used to him.?

After teaching percussion for two years at Sunnyside High School, Rice uses his music education degree from Fresno State on campus. This will be his first full-time teaching job.

?I really enjoy the kids,? Rice said. ?The support that the administration gives is incredible.?

Rice plans to throw the jazz band?s name out among other top bands in the Central Valley by improving improvisation and encouraging the band to play as one. He aspires to attend the Reno Jazz Festival in the spring.

?He is a great jazz instructor,? Scott Yantis, ?09, said. ?His expectations for us are really high.?