Even though no one is truly related, the members of the Fresno Christian jazz band treat each other as their own brother or sister.

The jazz band family and director Michael Ogdon will go on the road and compete in the Central California Band Review, Nov 13. Their playlist includes four songs: “Linus and Lucy,” “Pressure Point'” “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Line Drive.”

Junior Sydney Carlson plays drum set and auxiliary percussion for jazz band. She also plays percussion in the concert band.

“My favorite song would have to be Line Drive because I’m actually playing the drum set instead of percussion,” Carlson said. “I think it’s more exciting and alive than Battle Hymn is, and I have more fun playing it.”

In comparison to the other pieces, Line Drive has an up-tempo, yet “laid back feel”. The song keeps the audience on the the edge of their seats with the configuration of solos, dynamic contrast and explosive intensity.

Contrary to popular belief, the jazz band is not a group of the best instrumentalists of concert band. Members of jazz band commit to getting up early and going to school at zero period, just to play jazz. The degree of skill is not necessarily a factor.

The group rarely competes, so the atmosphere can sometimes be nonchalant. The lack of stress contributes to the excessive laughter and inside jokes developed amongst band members during early practice hours.

Sophomore Dana King first joined jazz band in 8th grade and has stayed in ever since. King chooses to participate in both concert band and jazz band. Apart form learning two different sets of music, she also plays two different instruments as well.

“I’m in both because one day my hope is to major in music so I participate in as many music groups as possible; I think my chances are better for me to get into college,” King said. “Plus in junior high, I always looked up to the kids in jazz band because they were so cool.”

Sophomore Zedekiah Fries only plays in the concert band. However he enjoys getting to school early and listening to the jazz band play.

“The only reason I don’t play in jazz band is because I don’t really like waking up sooner than I have to,” Fries said. “If it weren’t zero period, I would do jazz band, because I think it would be a fun experience and it could help me in a music career.”

After their festival the band will begin working on second semester’s material. The jazz band functions as the primary pep band for the basketball games and there are several festivals scheduled. For more information on jazz band, return to this article to read updates or check The Feather Online daily announcements.