Whiz Kids: DGS Jazz Ensemble

Patch Whiz Kids of the Week: Mike Ruth, Christian Siki, Billy Moroney, Callie Sorce, Will O’Dell, Zach Plata, Josiah Williams, Tim Neumann, Alex Bahaveolos, Danny Tedeschi, Elliot Bild, Marjorie Fera, Sam Kotlicky, Paul Carlquist, Peter Zlotnicki, Ian Williams, Amanda Cervantes, Grant Jordan, Michal Witek Julia Woods, Andrada Pteanc, Carmine Calabria, Joe Perillo, and Trevor Yde of the Downers Grove South Jazz Ensemble

School: Downers Grove South High School

Accomplishment: Participation in the Essentially Ellington Festival in New York City.

Key to Awesomeness: The 24 students comprising South’s Jazz Ensemble were part of a very elite group of high school musicians invited to participate in the Essentially Ellington Festival held in New York City last weekend. Jazz Ensemble director Craig Roselieb said that 110 high school bands from around the country submitted recorded tapes for consideration. Of those, only 15 including DGS Jazz Ensemble were selected.

During the festival Roselieb said, the group performed for judges. Three of the South students received honorable mentions for the band’s performance: Andrada Pteanc and Julia Wood on string bass, and Ian Williams on piano.

Alto saxophone players Mike Ruth and Christian Siki, and trombonist Danny Tedeschi were part of an interactive clinic with jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Nine students participated in jam sessions with students from the other high school bands.  In preparation for the jam session Roselieb said, the students had been required to memorize ten jazz standards.

The jazz band ensemble members also attended master classes with members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and special performances.

In describing the group of gifted musicians, Roselieb said, “they are very supportive of each other and listen really well to each other. They’re always encouraging of each other and they learn very quickly.”  He added, “They have a great sense of humor.  It was lots of fun to travel with this group.”