The Harrisonburg High School Music Department added another group to their growing list of performing ensembles last year. The Harrisonburg Jazz Ensemble, known by their stage name The Jazzalopes, perform jazz standards at school and community events. The band is directed by Brett Kirby, the assistant director of bands at Thomas Harrison Middle School.

The jazz band at Harrisonburg is one of the more unique ensembles at the school. There are seventeen students in the band who range from freshman to seniors, all of which are members of HHS’ other performing ensembles. From the rhythm section to the horns, the HHS jazz band boasts full orchestration which is important for smaller ensembles. Veteran trumpet player, sophomore Hollyn Slykhuis enjoys the performance opportunities the jazz band offers.

“My favorite part about last year was performing at Clementine and I am really excited that we get to perform at the Homestead this year,” Slykhuis said. “Jazz music is more relaxed than traditional concert band music which gives it a good vibe.”

The ensemble will travel to The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia where Kirby is teaching a seminar on jazz improvisations using the ensemble as his session group.

The Jazz band paired with the Jazz Theory class has created opportunity for many students to experience jazz in a way and for some for the first time. Senior Jason Tran who is also taking the jazz theory class is a first time player in the ensemble.

“I’ve never really played in a jazz group before and I really wanted to try it,” Tran said.

Many students involved in the ensemble have been playing in a band since the sixth grade and for many performing in the jazz band is their first time playing in such an ensemble.

The band performs at many school functions and events around the city. For many members of the band, last years performance at Clementine Cafe as part of the Harrisonburg Public Schools fine arts celebration was their favorite performance of the year. The band is hoping to expand their repertoire and continue to find new venues to perform in. The group’s first performance will be at the Prism Concert on October 10 at the high school.

Hear the Jazzalopes perform “Go Tell It on the Mountain” above.