The high school jazz band performed in the Mid-Valley Jazz Festival, Jan. 27, and received several outstanding musicianship awards.

The event, held in Tulare at Cherry Avenue Middle School, allowed the band to perform for other groups and perfect its pieces before returning into the competition routine. After completing the marching season, director Michael Ogdon says the festival gave students an opportunity to resume their year-long rhythm.

“It was scheduled from last year, and I’ve been trying to keep consistent with the group,” Ogdon said. “This was a little more relaxed and it helped get the students back into a competitive groove.”

Though the festival was considered a competition, Ogdon has yet to receive any trophies except a soloist award given to Nick Avery, ’12, for playing the solo in “Girl From Ipanema” by Antonio Carlos Jobim.

“At first I was a bit surprised because I really hadn’t thought much about the importance of the solo; I was just focusing on playing it,” Avery said. “Looking back, I’m quite proud, but I think that it was the skill of the entire band and [assistant director Cameron] Yassaman that got me noticed.”

Percussionist Sydney Carlson, ’11, says she was nervous to perform because of her solo parts.

“I had a couple of solo parts that I kind of had a habit of messing up, but I actually did a good job on them,” Carlson said. “I just think that no one wanted to mess it up for the entire band.”

After finishing the pieces “Line Drive” by Carl Strommen and “Pressure Point” by Larry Neeck, the drum section got direct advice from the judges.

“They gave very good advice and, though they were repetitive, they were really important,” Carlson said. “It would have been nice if they critiqued everyone [equally].”

As the band ended the festival, Carlson says she was satisfied with the performance.

“Since we performed first, we didn’t really get to hear the other bands,” Carlson said. “We did better than I thought; as a whole, we did good-actually, impressive.”

Though Ogdon recognized some faults during the band’s presentation, he says he has an overall positive impression of the event.

“It was good; there were moments that we weren’t at our best, but it’s typical,” Ogdon said. “I’ve never had a single performance that is perfect.”

The band will play next at the Fresno State Jazz Festival on March 25.

For more information on band, e-mail Ogdon and visit the Dec. 15, 2009 article, Agnus Dei features art department collaboration.