Landmark Middle School’s Big Band Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo participated in the Monterey Jazz Festival/Next Generation from April 5 to 7. The festival required an audition tape to be invited. Teacher Michael Weeks notes that it was a great experience for the Landmark musicians. The festival featured top-notch jazz educators and musicians, who presented a variety of workshops. Some of the educators and musicians included Allison Miller, Derrick Hodge, Patrick Bartley, Tanya Darby, Justin Kauflin, Adam Larson, Russell Malone, Michael Mayo, Lauren Sevian, and Steve Wiest. The Landmark Jazz Ensembles performed two days at the festival.
The following week the jazz ensembles were joined by the Concert Band and Choir on a five-day tour of the “Music City”, Nashville, Tennessee. The Landmark Ensembles competed in the WorldStrides Music Festival. The Big Band Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo received 1st place Gold and 2nd place Gold, respectively. While the Concert Choir and Band both received Silver ratings. Landmark spent time cruising down the Cumberland River on a paddle riverboat, which featured a buffet and 1st class entertainment from Nashville’s finest. They also took a guided step-down tour of the city of Nashville, a visit to the Belle Meade Plantation, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Big Band Jazz Ensemble Performed in the plaza of the Grand Old Opry, complete with a backstage tour, before attending a concert there.
“This is just one more opportunity Moreno Valley Unified School District is providing to our amazing music programs,” said Board President Jesus Holguin, “Our students are getting the experiences of a lifetime to perform in some of the premier cities for music while learning about history at the same time.”