"Jazz At The Rock" Bringing Nine High School Bands To Newtown

NEWTOWN, PA — Council Rock High School North will be rocking, rolling, and swinging Friday, March 3 when it hosts “Jazz at the Rock” at the Newtown Township school.

Nine bands will be featured at the Cavalcade of Bands jazz festival set for a 6 p.m. start.

Throughout the evening judges will be evaluating eight of the bands based on a variety of musical standards. The Council Rock North Jazz Band will be performing in exhibition as the host.

The celebration is a chance for students to showcase music that is uniquely American, said Mark Filosi, the Council Rock North jazz band director.

“The students take pride in showing off their talents, after they dedicated hours upon hours of rehearsal time in preparation for this event,” said Filosi. “We are proud as an organization to represent our community in the highest light. Our students are our future, and I believe through music, our future is bright."

The event is made possible by a team of parent volunteers, many of whom have ties to the district’s music program that go back a generation or two.

“I have such great memories as a student performing with the Council Rock Jazz Band back in the 80s,” said George Stockburger V, a former drum major whose three children have been active in the program. “To be involved today as a parent with the Council Rock Band Parents Association, helping to bring Jazz at the Rock back to CR North after the pandemic, is a thrill and an honor.”

Stockburger, who volunteers as president of the CRPBA, added that the community has been a great supporter of the event. “I am so pleased to have local businesses like the First National Bank of Newtown support Jazz at the Rock as a sponsor of the CRBPA and our music programs, because our bands are such an integral part of our community.”

Tickets, available at the door, are only $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. A variety of food concessions will also be available. Ticket sales begin at 5:30, with the music swinging from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Council Rock North is located at 62 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., where there is ample free parking.

Bands performing, in order of appearance, are:

• Council Rock South Lab Band
• Pennridge Jazz Band
• Bensalem High School Jazz Band
• Newtown Middle School Jazz Band
• Pennridge Jazz Ensemble
• Ridley High School Jazz Band
• Unionville High School Jazz Band
• Council Rock South Concert Jazz
• Council Rock North Jazz Band

Cavalcade of Bands is a nonprofit organization composed of over 100 member schools coming together to compete on the interscholastic level. Its motto is “education through musical involvement.”

The Council Rock Band Parents Association, a nonprofit 501-c-3, organizes Jazz at the Rock. Learn more about at the school’s award-winning instrumental music program at www.crnband.org.