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Welsh Valley Middle School

Off-Canvas

District Ensembles Shine at LM Jazz Fest

The Lower Merion High School Music Department recently hosted an outstanding evening of musical entertainment at the 2024 Lower Merion Jazz Fest! The competing high schools in this year's event were Harriton, Phoenixville, Upper Moreland, Neshaminy, Council Rock South and Camden Creative Arts. These groups were also joined by the Bala Cynwyd, Black Rock and Welsh Valley jazz bands, as well as a trio of Lower Merion High School’s musical ensembles: Ace Harmony, the Jazz Combo and Jazz Band!

This annual event is part of the Cavalcade Jazz Festivals sponsored by the Cavalcade of Bands Association (CBA), comprised of more than 60 schools throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The emphasis of Cavalcade Jazz Festivals is "Education Through Musical Involvement." It is their firm belief that controlled competition can be a positive educational tool wherein the process of music education can greatly enhance general education and life skills.

The Association provides each festival with a panel of three professional jazz musicians and educators. There are no first, second or third place bands at CBA festivals. Instead, following the performances, adjudicators assign each band a rating, which is announced at the end of the evening, along with special recognition of outstanding sections and soloists. Judges also record commentary with positive feedback and suggestions for improvement. The purpose is to have bands learn and improve from each Cavalcade appearance. Bands are judged using the following areas of skill evaluation: tone/blend/balance, interpretation, rhythm, precision, dynamics, intonation and improvisation. Best section awards are also given out for saxes, trombones, trumpets and rhythm.

To view a series of images from the 2024 Jazz Festival, click through the slideshow below!

A parent volunteer holds up a shirt with the LM Jazz Fest logo on it
Harriton High School Jazz Band performs at the LM Jazz Fest
Harriton High School Jazz Band performs at the LM Jazz Fest
Harriton High School Jazz Band performs at the LM Jazz Fest
Welsh Valley Middle School Jazz Band performs in the pit
A soloist on the sax from Welsh Valley Middle School Jazz Band performing in the pit
Welsh Valley Jazz Band director playing bass (black and white photo)
Image of a trombonist playing with the Welsh Valley Middle School Jazz Band in the pit
The piano player in the Welsh Valley Jazz Band
A saxophonist solos during the Welsh Valley Jazz Band performance
LM music teacher Aaron Datsko provides remarks during the event
Pianist performing with the Welsh Valley Middle School Jazz Band
Welsh Valley Middle School Jazz Band performs in the pit
A saxophonist solos with the WV Jazz Band
Phoenixville High School Jazz Band performs on stage
Phoenixville High School Jazz Band performs on stage
Artsy image of the LM Jazz Fest program
Phoenixville Jazz Band performs at the LM Jazz Festival
The Black Rock Jazz Band performs in the pit; a saxophonist plays a solo
The judges look on from their seats
The Black Rock Jazz Band performs in the pit
The Black Rock Jazz Band performs in the pit
The Black Rock Jazz Band performs in the pit
The Black Rock Jazz Band performs in the pit
Wonderful LMHS Jazz Band parents & volunteers
Wonderful LMHS Jazz Band parents & volunteers
Wonderful LMHS Jazz Band parents & volunteers
Upper Moreland Jazz Band performs on stage
Upper Moreland Jazz Band performs on stage
Upper Moreland Jazz Band performs on stage
Upper Moreland Jazz Band performs on stage
Bala Cynwyd Middle School Jazz Band performs in the pit
Bala Cynwyd Middle School Jazz Band performs in the pit
Bala Cynwyd Middle School Jazz Band performs in the pit
Bala Cynwyd Middle School Jazz Band performs in the pit
Bala Cynwyd Middle School Jazz Band performs in the pit; a student plays the bongos
Black and white photo of pianist playing with the BC Jazz Band
Council Rock South Jazz Band performs at LMHS
Council Rock South Jazz Band performs at LMHS
Council Rock South Jazz Band performs at LMHS
Council Rock South Jazz Band performs at LMHS
Bala Cynwyd Jazz Band performs in the pit
Bala Cynwyd Jazz Band performs in the pit
Bala Cynwyd Jazz Band performs in the pit
The Lower Merion Jazz Combo performs stage right
The Lower Merion Jazz Combo performs stage right
The Lower Merion Jazz Combo performs stage right
Parents of LM Jazz musicians
An LM parent-volunteer helps direct a visitor
The Lower Merion Jazz Combo performs stage right
The Lower Merion Jazz Combo performs stage right (black and white close up of bass player)
The Lower Merion Jazz Combo performs stage right with a focus on the bass player
The Lower Merion Jazz Combo performs stage right with a focus on the drummer
Camden Creative Arts' Jazz Band performs on stage at LMHS
Camden Creative Arts' Jazz Band performs on stage at LMHS
Camden Creative Arts' Jazz Band performs on stage at LMHS
Camden Creative Arts' Jazz Band performs on stage at LMHS
Camden Creative Arts' Jazz Band performs on stage at LMHS
Camden Creative Arts' Jazz Band performs on stage at LMHS as a vocalist takes centerstage
Camden Creative Arts' Jazz Band performs on stage at LMHS as a vocalist takes centerstage
The bassist in Camden Creative Arts' Jazz Band
Camden Creative Arts' Jazz Band performs on stage at LMHS as a trumpeter takes centerstage
Camden Creative Arts' Jazz Band performs on stage at LMHS as a vocalist takes centerstage
Camden Creative Arts' musicians get up and dance during their performance
Lower Merion Jazz Combo performs stage right
Camden Creative Arts' musicians get up and dance during their performance
Camden Creative Arts' musicians get up and dance during their performance
A visiting jazz ensemble performs on stage at LMHS
A visiting jazz ensemble performs on stage at LMHS
A visiting jazz ensemble performs on stage at LMHS
A visiting jazz ensemble performs on stage at LMHS
A visiting jazz ensemble performs on stage at LMHS
Ace Harmony performs stage right
The LM Jazz Band performs on stage
The LM Jazz Band performs as a soloist takes centerstage
The LM Jazz Band performs
The LM Jazz Band performs
The LM Jazz Band performs; a trombonist does a solo
The LM Jazz Band performs
The LM Jazz Band performs
The LM Jazz Band performs; a cornet player does a solo
The LM Jazz Band performs as Isabel Gilligan gives a solo
The LM Jazz Band performs
The LM Jazz Band takes a bow
The LM Jazz Band performs as the guitarist performs a solo
The LM Jazz Band performs
The LM Jazz Band performs
The LM Jazz Band performs