As a way of providing the Hayward and Mt. Eden community with a night to destress and dance to classical jazz hits, the Mt. Eden High School Jazz Band hosted a Swing Dance Concert and performed 12 classical jazz tunes from the 30s and 40s. There were two separate performances on January 17 and 18, not only for people to dance but also to raise money for the Band and Orchestra’s upcoming Spring Tour in April.
Mt. Eden’s music teacher Daniel Watson said they’ve been organizing this concert since mid-October, devoting lots of time and practice to rehearsing the 12 featured songs. Watson also said Band plans to have more fundraisers leading up to the Spring Tour, including a Panda Express fundraiser starting January 24th, and a current See’s Candy fundraiser.
“On top of that, there will be pretour concerts that will be showing what we’re gonna be performing on our trip, but right now this will be kind of a big preparation mode for the tour,” said Watson.
The Swing Dance Concert took place in the Performing Arts Center and lasted about one hour and a half, with a variety of slow-paced songs for soft and romantic dances, such as A String of Pearls and Moonlight Serenade, to more upbeat hits for a more freeing dance style, such as Jumpin’ At The Woodside and Sing, Sing, Sing. As the Jazz Band played the arranged songs, the audience burst to their feet and danced along to the tunes of the night.
“It was a good experience overall since I even got up to dance with my friends,” said Mt. Eden senior Arden Mendoza. “I enjoyed the jazz and the atmosphere.”
Junior Rollin Zhang, who plays saxophone and clarinet, said that although playing two instruments and having solos in the concert is very stressful, it is also a lot of fun.
“As a stress-reliever, I usually take deep breaths or I talk with my friends which is really great because they’ll help you through all your problems,” said Zhang.
Another soloist, Junior Jeffrey Anderson and main drummer in the Jazz Band said he loves the energy he feels when playing music.
“It’s something you just can’t get anywhere except a live performance,” said Anderson. “You can’t record it. You gotta be there to experience it.”
Although all musicians performed the same songs, each one had a different favorite part of the concert.
“My favorite part was definitely the ending,” said senior guitarist and drummer Isis Valine. “Everyone got into it and it was the most rocking part of the whole concert.”
The night was full of well-played jazz songs from only one part of Mt. Eden’s talented music program.
“The thing that makes me the most proud about this ensemble is how when they’re playing, they’re having fun and they’re enjoying themselves,” said Watson. “You hear that in the music, and that’s something the audience walks away with.”
